Brendel – Alto CD

Beethoven: PIANO CONCERTO No.4 in G, Op.58, No.5 in E flat, Op.73 (“EMPEROR”)

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:38:49 +0000

(No.4) “…deeply satisfying…Brendel’s control of phrase and colour….contrast of the slow movement are strongly and poetically made…uses the second of the cadenzas, not generally heard” (No.5): “splendidly bold and vigorous reading, well supported…..main rondo theme merges vividly and with great character” © 1992 Penguin Guide

Piano Concerto No.4 in G, Op.58

1. Allegro moderato 17.52
2. Andante con moto 4.55
3. Rondo-vivace 10.49

Piano Concerto No.5 in E flat, Op.73 “Emperor”

4. Allegro 20.01
5. Adagio un poco mosso 8.33
6. Rondo -Allegro ma non troppo 10.25

Brendel Plays Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 17 & 27

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:36:58 +0000

3 Stars ‘[Brendel proved] an inspired Mozartian when he made these earlier recordings… radiant freshness and spontaneity which he did not quite match in [later] versions… helped by vivacious orchestral contributions… constant source of pleasure. [Piano Concerto No. 27 is] beautifully proportioned, the lyrical phrasing is most winning”
— Penguin Guide

Legendary Vox recordings by the master of Viennese pianjo repertoire – now available again on one CD!

Brendel plays Mozart

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:36:13 +0000

The legendary pianist’s early Mozart concerto recordings, now available at a super-value price

“Brendel’s 1968 performance of No. 9 is quite outstanding, elegant and beautifully precise…. [The] orchestra is just right… the performance of No. 14 is also first rate… a memorably vivacious finale. Outstanding re-issue with natural sound… clean remastering.”
–Penguin Guide
“This concerto (K271), described by Brendel as one of the wonders of the world and a vision of everything the classical piano could become, was also a favourite of Busoni. In a recent interview Brendel admitted that he struggled with Mozart in early years but found the key to its interpretation during the Fischer master classes he attended as an 18 year old (playing the K310 Sonata).”
–James Murray

This release contains Alfred Brendel’s first recordings of his favorite Mozart piano concerto, which was also the work performed at his final concert in December of 2008.

Alfred Brendel Plays Schumann

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:36:12 +0000

*** “Brendel’s opening phrase of the Symphonic Etudes is immediately individual, and yet in essence these 1960’s readings are not wayward, even though strongly personalised. There are other ways of approaching Schumann, but in Brendel’s hands the structure emerges anew, and has the emotional grip one associates with Beethoven. Excellent recordings to match the playing.”— Gramophone
Authoritative Schumann interpretations by the incomparable Alfred Brendel.

Fantasy in c minor, Op.17

[1] Durchaus phantastisch und leidenschäftlich vorzutragen (13:01)
[2] Mässig, durchaus energisch (8:15)
[3] Langsam getragen, durchweg leise zu halten (10:38)

Symphonic Studies , Op.13

[4] Theme (1:17)
[5] Etude No.1 (1:19)
[6] Etude No.2 (3:38)
[7] Etude No.3 (1:17)
[8] Etude No.4 (0:58)
[9] Etude No.5 (1 :23)
[10] Etude No.6 (0:54)
[11] Etude No.7 (1:16)
[12] Etude No.8 (2:03)
[13] Etude No.9 (0:38)
[14] Etude No.10 (1:18)
[15] Etude No.11 (3:06)
[16] Etude No.12 (6:49)

Total playing time — 58:04
Recorded 1966 in Vienna
Producer: Seymour Solomon
Released under license from Vanguard Classics

Alfred Brendel Plays Schubert

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:35:51 +0000

*** “Brendel at his finest and most spontaneous… C minor Sonata is particularly fine… consistently illuminating… German Dances an endless delight… ….recording is full & bold.”.” — Gramophone
Authoritative Schubert interpretations by the incomparable Alfred Brendel.

[1-4] Piano Sonata No.19 in c minor, D958 (28:42)
[5-6] Piano Sonata No.15 in C Major “Unfinished”, D840 (19:54)
[7-22] 16 German Dances, D783 (11:10)

Total playing time — 59:46
Recorded 1968 in Vienna
Producer: Seymour Solomon
Released under license from Vanguard Classics

Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonatas

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:35:50 +0000

Alfred Brendel’s classic Vox recordings of the most popular Beethoven piano sonatas – newly remastered from original analogue tapes using JVC K2 technology for maximum fidelity to the source material.

“Vox reissues offer the rare opportunity not only to reassess the musical and interpretative development of this fine pianist over more than 30 years, but also to benefit from the purely musical insights which such a comparison can give.” — Gramophone

“Moonlight is hushed and gentle in its cool stillness, with veiled tone…. The finale, at a relaxed tempo, is beautifully pointed but does not seek extrovert excitement…. Les Adieux: finale is striking and direct… recordings excellently remastered: bright, bold and resonant with fine presence.” — Penguin Guide

Piano Sonata No.8 in C minor, Op.13 « Pathétique »

[1] I. Grave- allegro di molto e con brio 9:09
[2] II. Adagio cantabile 5:43
[3] III. Rondo: Allegro 4:20

Piano Sonata No.14 in C sharp minor, Op.27 « Moonlight »

[4] I. Adagio sostenuto 6:01
[5] II. Allegretto 2:19
[6] III. Presto agitato 7:38

Piano Sonata No.26 in E flat minor, Op.81a « Les Adieux »

[7] I. Das Lebewohl: Adagio –allegro 6:14
[8] II. Abwesenheit: andante espressivo 3:10
[9] III. Das Wiedersehen: vivacissimamente 5:34

Piano Sonata No.23 in F minor, Op.57 « Appassionata »

[10] I. Allegro assai 9:43
[11] II. Andante con moto 6:17
[12] III. Allegro ma non troppo – presto 8:05

Remastered for alto by Paul Arden-Taylor (www.dinmore-records.co.uk)
Released under license from SPJ Music.