Beethoven Piano Your resource for the piano music of Ludwig van Beethoven

asin: B0000012YO binding: Audio CD list price: $68.98 USD amazon price: $101.57 USD

Nine CD Box Set, Including the Complete Recording of Beethoven's Sonatas.

author: Ludwig van Beethoven asin: 0486264416 binding: Paperback list price: $16.95 USD amazon price: $16.95 USD

All 5 sonatas for cello and piano, and 3 sets of variations on themes by Mozart and Handel. Basic works of the cello repertoire carefully reproduced from the authoritative complete-works edition published by Breitkopf & Härtel. Inexpensive source for studying 8 major works of the chamber music repertoire.

asin: B000009OU6 binding: Audio CD list price: $7.98 USD amazon price: $6.99 USD

For the parent looking to ease their child into a familiarity with classical music, this is a very well chosen set of Beethoven works. It begins with a generous selection of airs composed late in the composer's life. The presence of the flute as the lead instrument on these selections has a soothing quality that moves the ear in an ideally subtle way, especially as it gives way to the more excited piano sonata pieces. Zoltán Kocsis's reading of "Pathétique" is followed by Claudio Arrau's take on the 7th, 15th, and 18th sonatas and Sviatoslav Richter's lyrical take on the 20th ("Pastoral"). Programmed amidst the piano pieces, which are great studies in dynamics and musical spacing, are some fine orchestral snippets, none longer than five minutes. The collection does a fine balancing act, condensing works that don't inherently lend themselves to shortened renditions and carefully managing moods, entry, and egress to each segment. This is fine anthology work. --Andrew Bartlett

asin: B0000028NZ binding: Audio CD list price: $8.99 USD amazon price: $9.95 USD

Why this 1968 recording of Sonata No. 24 (Op. 78 in F Sharp) lay dormant until now is a mystery. Gould obviously relishes this little jewel, and plays up the two movement's contrasting qualities with exquisite poise and superb characterization. An unreleased CBC broadcast of the mighty Hammerklavier sonata, on the other hand, is scaled down to drawing-room size. Gould brings out the knotty counterpoint with microscopic clarity, yet ducks from Beethoven's surging dynamism in the outer movements. The Andante Sostenuto is reticent and stark under Gould's introspective hands, touching upon but not yielding to the music's tragic overtones. Not the first choice Hammerklavier for your collection, but Gouldians should hear it. --Jed Distler

author: Beethoven asin: B000LRYPW6 binding: Digital list price: $4.49 USD amazon price: $4.49 USD

Downloadable sheet music file