Antonia Brentano | Leiden, The Netherlands | 01/28/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Recently I bought this box out of curiosity. The box was extremely cheap (around $35) and I was not very familiar yet with the art of Friedrich Gulda. It turned out to be THE surprise of the year for me! I cannot believe how I, who love the Beethoven sonatas so much, missed this box for so many years! It offers simply superb Beethoven playing. Gulda's tempi are, in general, rather fast, but without any concession to clarity. The slower movements are real treasures too, beautifully played.
If you are looking for a complete set of the sonatas, I can really advice this box. You get all the sonatas, wonderfully played, with good sound quality, at a great price.
Well, just buy it. Don't be like me and live without it for too many years. You found this review, so you found this box, so you don't have any excuse!
Enjoy!"
Not Gulda's but Beethoven's Beethoven
Pavel | Prague, Czech Republic | 05/07/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As an admirer of Wilhelm Kempff, I judged the performances of Beethoven Sonata Cycle after both of Kempff's integrals. I own many recordings of this music on vinyls and used to own the famous Gilels' (incomplete) cycle. I grabed this complete recording rather by chance - and I suddenly realised that I did not listen to Beethoven systematically for years. Gulda's is the right "masculine" Beethoven. Compared to Kempff - you feel this percussion-like aspect of Sonatas at every right place. Gulda doesn't know ANY technical obstacles. The sound is wonderful. But on the top of it - there is his straightforward and yet deeply spiritual interpretation. The best Beethoven ever..."
Master Gulda - a Piano Genius
Flavio Cipparrone | Sao Paulo, Brasil | 04/25/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Someone that is so good on Jazz and Classical music (and it is VERY DIFFICULT to find such a pianist) can interpret any song in an orthodox or non-orthodox way and the result will be always very good.
Gulda was such a pianist.
A really EXCEPTIONAL musician with superior musical taste.
PS: People that criticize his "a bit heterodox" Bach Well Tempered Clavier rendition probably do not know that Bach himself did not marked speed or dynamics on the original manuscripts.
Excellent interpretations of Beethoven Sonatas."
This is the Mother Lode.
Christopher Schlegel | McKenzie, TN United States | 09/19/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"All 32 piano sonatas by the Master Craftsman. Recorded by one wonderful pianist. The performances are technically superior and totally engaging. The original recordings must have been as good as was possible to create at the time, as was the digital transfer. The sound is stunningly beautiful.
This deserves 27 stars. For each disc in the set. Possibly more. :) If you love Beethoven's music, your collection is simply not complete without this set. I have trouble listening to anything else but these discs.
Absolute Perfection."
Buy the German version (Amadeo-Decca-Eloquence)
wael mandour | 10/07/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Gulda speilt Beethoven is the name of this box set which contains the complete beethoven sonatas recorded in 1968 along with the 5 concertos 1971-1973 all in one box with magnificent sound and clarity. Gulda is spectacular."