Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, Solomon Cutner :: Beethoven: Piano Sonatas 1, 3, & 32

Beethoven: Piano Sonatas 1, 3, & 32
Ludwig van Beethoven, Solomon Cutner
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas 1, 3, & 32
Genre: Classical
 
  •  Track Listings (10) - Disc #1

The great English pianist Solomon Cutner (who used only "Solomon" as his stage name) was a supreme virtuoso who always subordinated his superlative pianism to the composer's intentions. Unlike so many of today's "objective...  more »

     
?

Larger Image

CD Details

All Artists: Ludwig van Beethoven, Solomon Cutner
Title: Beethoven: Piano Sonatas 1, 3, & 32
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: Testament UK
Release Date: 10/10/2000
Album Type: Import
Genre: Classical
Styles: Chamber Music, Forms & Genres, Sonatas, Historical Periods, Classical (c.1770-1830), Romantic (c.1820-1910)
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 749677118822

Synopsis

Amazon.com
The great English pianist Solomon Cutner (who used only "Solomon" as his stage name) was a supreme virtuoso who always subordinated his superlative pianism to the composer's intentions. Unlike so many of today's "objective" interpreters, textual fidelity never meant impersonal or cold interpretations. That's largely due to his stylistic mastery and an ability he shares with very few--the sense of "rightness" in every aspect of his playing. A tragic stroke in 1956 cut his career short in the midst of recording a complete Beethoven Sonata cycle for EMI. Eighteen of the 32 were taped, and they were treasured staples of the LP era. Now Testament has issued them on CD in exemplary transfers. This CD couples two early sonatas with the last of the series. Solomon keeps the early sonatas within a classic-period framework, never exaggerating the dynamic contrasts. The great C minor sonata gets a broader reading, remarkable for the way Solomon sustains the Adagio, as well as for the clarity of the big finale. This series is a must-have for all admirers of Beethoven. --Dan Davis
 

CD Reviews

Very close to the top
01/20/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)

"The sonata #32 is the one to look for in this recording. Decent sound and one of the best interpretations. I have many versions of this sonata, and for me it deserves to be among the top ones, being IMHO Michelangeli the best one, with a really amazing real-jazz adagio, and with Richter following him pretty close. Pollini (too cold for my taste), Arrau (too slow, unfortunately losing the whole picture), Gould (too inmature, he stays on the surface), Schnabel (too delicate, this is not Schubert!), Rosen (too standard, almost impersonal), among others, are good, don't get me wrong, but they can't compete with the other three. If you had to chose one version, go for Michelangeli. For those trying to get deeper into this sonata, Solomon should be part of your CD collection. A powerful, clear and mature interpretation that will bring you new insights to this truly amazing work."