offeck | New York, NY -- United States of America | 11/13/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"DO NOT LISTEN TO ANY NEGATIVE REVIEW OF THIS DISC. Any naysayer, I'll wallop. SHUT UP AND LISTEN TO THE MUSIC. I've never heard so many notes, lively rhythms, beautiful harmonies in ANY of these sonatas -- and the Pathetique, MY GOD, it's transformed, transfigured, transcendental; I didn't think there was anything else to know or hear in this piece, and along comes Pollini with a slap in the face of what it's REALLY all about! His pianism has grown and matured and developed, losing absolutely none of the passion and fire and verve and inertia (actually I think he's gained considerably in aggression and the ability to sock-it-to-you, have you heard his remarkable Appassionate, you absolutely must). I am extremely grateful for this disc and pray to the heavens that Pollini (the very avatar of perfection) finishes this cycle!"
NY Times Top Pick for 2004
Logan M. Cheek | 12/16/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Selected by the NY Times as one of the top 25 classical CDs of 2004. So much for the naysayers."
Great CD
Matt | Virginia | 06/02/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a great CD. I love listening to his rendition of the "Pathetique" Sonata (but then again, I've never heard a recording of that Sonata I didn't like...). His playing has so much drive and intensity, it's really quite amazing. His sense of rhythm and pulse are unmatched (except for Horowitz), while still keeping the integrity of the piece at hand. Highly recommended."
Revealing Op. 10 performances
Russell I. Burnett | Newark, DE, USA | 06/15/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Other reviewers here have focused on the Op. 13 sonata (Pathetique). While I agree with the praise they give it, I'm surprised to find so little mention of the three Op. 10 sonatas on this disc, for these are what draw me back to this album frequently. Don't get caught thinking this is a "Pathetique + three fillers" album; these are all compositions (and performances) of high quality.
I'm a big Pollini fan, so I actually purchased this album merely out of interest in his interpretations (i.e. I didn't think too much of these sonatas at the time--I thought Beethoven wrote so much that is better than this). However, this recording has really changed my opinion. Pollini brings out both the beauty and the drive in these sonatas, to the point that now I really like them all. (I should acknowledge that Andras Schiff's free online lectures on these pieces significantly elevated my opinion of them as well. Highly recommend both this recording and the Schiff lectures.)
This is typical of my experience with other Pollini recordings; many compete for my "personal favorite" status, but even those that do not still significantly increase my appreciation for the works."