Wilhelm Kempff Plays Beethoven: "Hammerklavier" Piano Sonata, Op. 106/Rondo, Op. 51, No. 2

cover of Wilhelm Kempff Plays Beethoven:

asin: B0001US7K4
binding: DVD
list price: $24.95 USD
amazon price: $22.49 USD

Alfred Brendel Plays Beethoven

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