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

author: Beethoven asin: B000LRYPS0 binding: Digital list price: $2.75 USD amazon price: $2.75 USD

Downloadable sheet music file

author: Beethoven asin: B000LRYQ20 binding: Digital list price: $3.59 USD amazon price: $3.59 USD

Downloadable sheet music file

asin: B0001RVQM8 binding: Audio CD list price: $6.98 USD amazon price: $5.97 USD

Biss, who has been getting much attention in the American music world, makes his recording debut at the age of 23 with a challenging program. He wisely places the Beethoven Fantasy first. To many listeners, this unfamiliar piece, written in the style of an improvisation, will be an arresting introduction to the program. To those familiar with the music, Biss's compelling intensity will demonstrate his credentials: here is a pianist with something to say. Competition in the other two works is stronger, and you can't say Biss blows it away. But his Schumann is strongly and expressively played, with almost the ultimate amount of contrast you want in this wild music. The Beethoven Sonata, performed here with all the necessary repeats, has been recorded by dozens of famous pianists. Biss is already somewhere in the top echelon, bringing drama and excitement to the music. Someday he may play the finale even more powerfully, but he already causes plenty of tingles. At EMI's "Debut" series super-bargain price, this disc would be worth having even if all you want is the Beethoven Fantasy. --Leslie Gerber

asin: B0001RVRFE binding: Audio CD list price: $11.98 USD amazon price: $10.22 USD

The average listener will never have heard most of the music on these discs, sets of variations Beethoven composed in his piano-playing days for casual use. All but one lack opus numbers, which means Beethoven didn't take them very seriously. There are no hidden masterpieces here, at least not in Ogdon's nine selections. But the music has charm and grace, and gives dedicated Beethoven-lovers a chance to experience the composer at his most informal. Ogdon, a great fire-breathing virtuoso during his brief prime, plays this music with modesty and subtlety, never inflating the music beyond its boundaries. These previously-rare recordings (if they were ever issued at all) expand our understanding of a great, tragic pianist, brought down at the height of his career by mental illness. The Gilels performances, of somewhat better-known music, are rescued from their original use as fillers on concerto LPs. Gilels plays the almost famous 32 Variations in C Minor with wonderful drama, and captures the humor in the "Turkish March" Variations. With EMI's excellently remastered sound and super-bargain price, this set is well worth acquiring for anyone interested in the music. --Leslie Gerber