Recordings of Beethoven's piano music

Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 3

cover of Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 3asin: B000L21DN0
binding: Audio CD
list price: $16.98 USD
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These are aggressive, somewhat eccentric readings of these concerti. They are given performances of real fire, and Pletnev takes interesting liberties with dynamics. Sudden passages of very loud or very soft playing ensure that we will not be bored. At times he uses rubato the way an Italian tenor might, which is to say, interestingly but with dubious taste. There is a moment in the First Concerto's Largo that is taken so slowly it sounds as if something might have gone wrong with the CD. It appears that Pletnev has approached both of these works as exemplars of high Romanticism, whereas the first, in particular, looks back to Mozart. This is not to say that he does not play impeccably. His tone is always handsome and no matter how loudly he plays, he never distorts. Whether or not one agrees with his "re-interpretations," it is impossible not to be riveted. Pletnev says in the accompanying notes that his wish is that "every scream, every moment of joy" in the music "should be lived through as it's lived in our real lives." Those who know these concerti well might be surprised at how many screams Pletnev finds. The orchestra plays with great transparency under Christian Gansch. Nothing if not entertaining. --Robert Levine

Beethoven: Masterpieces for Solo Piano

cover of Beethoven: Masterpieces for Solo Pianoasin: B0000AGWEB
binding: Audio CD
list price: $13.98 USD
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Fur Elise

cover of Fur Eliseasin: 073901322X
binding: Paperback
list price: $3.95 USD
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Alfred Masterwork edition of Beethoven's timeless classic. Complete, original music with editorial markings by Willard A. Palmer.

Piano Classics

cover of Piano Classicsasin: B000000KVY
binding: Audio CD
list price: $4.98 USD
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Beethoven: The Op. 31 Piano Sonatas

cover of Beethoven: The Op. 31 Piano Sonatasasin: B000005IZN
binding: Audio CD
list price: $16.98 USD
amazon price: $12.99 USD


Decca Beethoven Recordings, 1950-1958

cover of Decca Beethoven Recordings, 1950-1958asin: B0009A41ZQ
binding: Audio CD
list price: $87.98 USD
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Beethoven Polonaise Op. 89 for Piano: Instantly download and print sheet music

cover of Beethoven Polonaise Op. 89 for Piano: Instantly download and print sheet musicauthor: Beethoven
asin: B000LRYQ02
binding: Digital
list price: $2.75 USD
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Downloadable sheet music file

Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Op. 2/3, Op. 13 & Op. 28

cover of Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Op. 2/3, Op. 13 & Op. 28asin: B000OQDV24
binding: Audio CD
list price: $23.98 USD
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Beethoven: The Five Piano Concertos

cover of Beethoven: The Five Piano Concertosasin: B0000026O8
binding: Audio CD
list price: $35.98 USD
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Complete String Quartets Transcribed for Four-Hand Piano (Series II)

cover of Complete String Quartets Transcribed for Four-Hand Piano (Series II)author: Ludwig van Beethoven
asin: 0486239756
binding: Paperback
list price: $18.95 USD
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Today’s four-hand pianists will greatly enjoy the later string quartets of Beethoven—some of the finest compositions in western music—in these excellent, faithful transcriptions. Included are Opp. 74, 95, 127, 130-133, 135. For piano students (at intermediate level) and seasoned performers. Originally published by C. F. Peters.

Beethoven: Sonata nos 8,14,17,21,23 and 29

cover of Beethoven: Sonata nos 8,14,17,21,23 and 29asin: B000026FNG
binding: Audio CD
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Beethoven: The Late Piano Sonatas

cover of Beethoven: The Late Piano Sonatasasin: B00000416N
binding: Audio CD
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11 Bagatelles, Op. 119 (Alfred Masterwork Edition)

cover of 11 Bagatelles, Op. 119 (Alfred Masterwork Edition)author: Ludwig van Beethoven
asin: 0739013513
binding: Paperback
list price: $7.50 USD
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Beethoven: Complete Music for Cello & Piano

cover of Beethoven: Complete Music for Cello & Pianoasin: 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

Stephen Kovacevich Plays Beethoven

cover of Stephen Kovacevich Plays Beethovenasin: B000654OV0
binding: Audio CD
list price: $47.98 USD
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Beethoven Variations Volume 1 (Kalmus Edition)

cover of Beethoven Variations Volume 1 (Kalmus Edition)author: Ludwig van Beethoven
asin: 0769267955
binding: Mass Market Paperback
list price: $18.95 USD
amazon price: $15.35 USD


A collection of intermediate/advanced piano pieces by Ludwig van Beethoven.