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

asin: B0000041A9 binding: Audio CD list price: $17.98 USD amazon price: $13.99 USD

Beethoven was the first great composer of cello sonatas, and he remained really the only one until Brahms wrote two at the end of the last century, and then in our own time Martinu wrote three. Aside from a few individual works by other composers (Grieg, Rachmaninov, Shostakovich, Barber, and Britten), that about sums up the entire repertoire for this particular combination. It's a difficult medium, because the low notes of the cello tend to get covered by the bass of the piano, and balance between the two instruments is always precarious. Of course, when you have artists of the caliber of Rostropovich and Richter, there's nothing to worry about. This classic set has been the reference edition since the day it was issued, and it's now available at a budget price. --David Hurwitz

author: Ludwig van Beethoven asin: 0486450422 binding: Paperback list price: $17.95 USD amazon price: $14.36 USD

Beethoven's first 5 symphonies appear here in special unabridged four-hand arrangements. These elegant versions of the composer's masterpieces have long been favorites of duet performers. Reproduced from authoritative editions, they offer pianists of an intermediate level and beyond the chance to perform and study these famous works.

author: Beethoven asin: B000LRYQ0M binding: Digital list price: $2.75 USD amazon price: $2.75 USD

Downloadable sheet music file

asin: B000001K4G binding: Audio CD list price: $10.98 USD amazon price: $10.98 USD

Even Alfred Brendel may not approve of the Beethoven performances heard on these discs. Brendel is several decades older and wiser now, and may well find these products of his relative youth as callow as I do. The magnificent Diabelli Variations, one of Beethoven's greatest compositions, is trivialized by this undercharacterized playing, which lets so many important moments go by without saying anything special about them. It's worth the extra money to spring for a great performance of this music, like Richter on Praga PR 254 023 or Oelbaum on Bridge BCD 9010. The smaller pieces also sound bland. Even at a low price this set is no great bargain. --Leslie Gerber