Ludwig van Beethoven: Complete 35 Piano Sonatas

Name: Ludwig van Beethoven: Complete 35 Piano Sonatas
SKU: 809730100123
Availability: InStock

Price range: £35.99 through £65.63

Format

CDMP3 320KbpsFLAC 16-bit/44KHD 24-bit

Label: Divine Art
Catalogue No: DDX 21001
EAN/UPC: 809730100123
Artists: Tamami Honma
Composers: Ludwig van Beethoven
Release Date: February 2024
Genres: Piano
Discs: 10
Total Playing Time: 11:41:25
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Experience the full scope of Beethoven’s musical evolution with this comprehensive collection of his 35 piano sonatas, meticulously organized in chronological order to offer a panoramic view of his artistic journey, tracing Beethoven’s transformative progression as a composer.

While opus numbers traditionally guide the dating of Beethoven’s works, exceptions abound, notably in the case of the Opus 49 Sonatas. This collection challenges the conventional exclusion of the early “Kurfürst” Sonatas, shedding light on Beethoven’s formative years as a composer. Musicologist Professor Barry Cooper’s advocacy for their inclusion, based on their publication by Beethoven himself and their intrinsic merit, finds resonance in this comprehensive set.

Pianist Tamami Honma brings these sonatas to life with precision, adhering closely to Cooper’s editorial corrections in the ABRSM edition. Cooper’s meticulous research, comparing original manuscripts, early editions, and historical sources, ensures an authentic interpretation of Beethoven’s intentions, from note values to nuanced articulation. This collection is not merely a recording; it is a vibrant testament to Beethoven’s brilliance, offering a fresh perspective on his extraordinary works.

Renowned Japanese-American pianist Tamami Honma is celebrated for her expressive and captivating performances, earning acclaim in prestigious venues such as Wigmore Hall, St John’s Smith Square, and Carnegie Hall. Her recordings, including the Chopin concertos with the Vilnius String Quartet, have garnered five-star reviews in Gramophone and the BBC Music Magazine. As a distinguished piano performance educator, Honma serves on the music faculty at Stanford University and Santa Clara University

Track Listing

Disc A

Sonata in E flat major ‘Kurfürst’, WoO 47 No. 1

I. Allegro cantabile 4:24
II. Andante 5:23
III. Rondo vivace 2:14

Sonata in F minor ‘Kurfürst’, WoO 47 No. 2

I. Larghetto maestoso – Allegro assai 5:45
II. Andante 7:23
III. Presto 2:59

Sonata in D major ‘Kurfürst’, WoO 47 No. 3

I. Allegro 6:48
II. Menuetto sostenuto 7:55
III. Scherzando: Allegro ma non troppo 4:35

Andante in F major ‘Andante favori’, WoO 57

Andante grazioso con moto 8:54

Total playing time 57:00

Disc B

Sonata in F minor, Op. 2 No. 1

I. Allegro 4:00
II. Adagio 4:57
III. Menuetto: Allegretto 3:08
IV. Prestissimo 4:54

Sonata in A major, Op. 2 No. 2

I. Allegro vivace 10:21
II. Largo appassionato 6:32
III. Scherzo: Allegretto 3:36
IV. Rondo: Grazioso 6:54

Sonata in C major, Op. 2 No. 3

I. Allegro con brio 10:38
II. Adagio 7:38
III. Scherzo: Allegro 3:01
IV. Allegro assai 5:04

Total playing time 71:20

Disc C

Sonata in G major, Op. 49 No. 2

I. Allegro ma non troppo 4:26
II. Tempo di menuetto 3:37

>Sonata in G minor, Op. 49 No. 1

I. Andante 5:24
II. Rondo: Allegro 2:53

Sonata in E flat major, Op. 7

I. Allegro molto e con brio 8:15
II. Largo con gran espressione 7:33
III. Allegro 6:08
IV. Rondo: Poco allegretto e grazioso 7:28

Sonata in C minor, Op. 10 No. 1

I. Allegro molto e con brio 5:27
II. Adagio molto 7:54
III. Finale: Prestissimo 4:39

Sonata in F major, Op. 10 No. 2

I. Allegro 8:49
II. Allegretto 5:23
III. Presto 3:34

Total playing time 82:17

Disc D

Sonata in D major, Op. 10 No. 3

I. Presto 6:58
II. Largo e mesto 8:59
III. Menuetto: Allegro 3:07
IV. Rondo: Allegro 4:53

Sonata in C minor ‘Pathétique’, Op. 13

I. Grave – Allegro di molto e con brio 8:44
II. Adagio cantabile 5:21
III. Rondo: Allegro 4:41

Sonata in E major, Op. 14 No. 1

I. Allegro 6:21
II. Allegretto 4:13
III. Rondo: Allegro comodo 3:01

Sonata in G major, Op. 14 No. 2

I. Allegro 6:45
II. Andante 4:40
III. Scherzo: Allegro assai 3:26

Total playing time 71:54

Disc E

Sonata in B flat major, Op. 22

I. Allegro con brio 7:44
II. Adagio con molto espressione 8:25
III. Minuetto 4:17
IV. Rondo: Allegretto 6:27

Sonata in A flat major, Op. 26

I. Andante con variazioni 7:28
II. Scherzo: Allegro molto 2:48
III. Marcia funebre (sulla morte d’un Eroe) 6:49
IV. Allegro 3:01

Sonata quasi una fantasia in E flat major, Op. 27 No. 1

I. Andante – Allegro – Tempo I 4:29
II. Allegro molto e vivace 2:04
III. Adagio con espressione – Allegro vivace 8:43

Sonata quasi una fantasia in C sharp minor, ‘Moonlight’, Op. 27 No. 2

I. Adagio sostenuto 6:31
II. Allegretto 1:58
III. Presto 7:10

Total playing time 78:37

Disc F

Sonata in D major, ‘Pastoral’, Op. 28

I. Allegro 10:42
II. Andante 5:39
III. Scherzo: Allegro vivace 2:10
IV. Rondo: Allegro ma non troppo 5:02

Sonata in G major, Op. 31 No. 1

I. Allegro vivace 6:34
II. Adagio grazioso 10:45
III. Rondo: Allegretto 6:59

Sonata in D minor, ‘Tempest’, Op. 31 No. 2

I. Largo – Allegro 7:43
II. Adagio 7:57
III. Allegretto 7:03

Total playing time 71:05

Disc G

Sonata in E flat major, Op. 31 No. 3

I. Allegro 8:42
II. Scherzo: Allegretto vivace 4:50
III. Menuetto: Moderato e grazioso 5:15
IV. Presto con fuoco 4:25

Sonata in C major ‘Waldstein’, Op. 53

I. Allegro con brio 11:01
II. Introduzione: Adagio molto 3:40
III. Rondo: Allegretto moderato – Prestissimo 9:41

Sonata in F major, Op. 54

I. In Tempo d’un Menuetto 5:50
II. Allegretto – Più allegro 5:39

Sonata in F minor, ‘Appassionata’, Op. 57

I. Allegro assai 9:54
II. Andante con moto 5:41
III. Allegro ma non troppo – Presto 7:41

Total playing time 83:00

Disc H

Sonata in F-sharp major, ‘à Thérèse’, Op. 78

I Adagio cantabile – Allegro ma non troppo 7:23
II. Allegro vivace 3:01

Sonata in G major, Op. 79

I. Presto alla tedesca 4:55
II. Andante 3:30
III. Allegro vivace 2:04

Sonata in E flat major, ‘Les Adieux’, Op. 81a

I. Das Lebewohl (The Farewell): Adagio – Allegro 6:59
II. Abwesenheit (Absence): Andante espressivo 4:06
III. Das Wiedersehn (The Return): Vivacissimamente 5:51

Sonata in E minor, Op. 90

I. Mit Lebhaftigkeit, und durchaus mit Empfindung und Ausdruck 5:59
II. Nicht zu geschwind und sehr singbar vorgetragen 8:12

Sonata in A major, Op. 101

I. Etwas lebhaft und mit der innigsten Empfindung (Allegretto ma non troppo) 4:11
II. Ziemlich lebhaft. Marschmässig (Vivace alla marcia) 6:26
III. Langsam und sehnsuchtsvoll (Adagio ma non troppo, con affetto) 2:48
IV. Geschwinde, doch nicht zu sehr und mit Entschlossenheit (Allegro) 7:59

Total playing time 74:15

Disc I

Sonata in B flat major, ‘Hammerklavier’, Op. 106

I. Allegro 11:21
II. Scherzo: Assai vivace 2:47
III. Adagio sostenuto 21:43
IV. Largo – Allegro – Prestissimo – Allegro risoluto 12:26

Sonata in E major, Op. 109

I. Vivace ma non troppo - Adagio espressivo 3:46
II. Prestissimo 2:25
III. Gesang mit innigster Empfindung (Andante molto cantabile ed espressivo) 13:12

Total playing time 67:53

Disc J

Sonata in A flat major, Op. 110

I. Moderato cantabile molto espressivo 5:56
II. Allegro molto 2:15
III. Adagio ma non troppo – Fuga: Allegro ma non troppo 10:46

Sonata in C minor, Op. 111

I. Maestoso – Allegro con brio appassionato 8:30
II. Arietta: Adagio 16:21

Total playing time 44:04

Reviews

Fanfare

“
Honma’s interpretive choices…are clearly delineated and stylishly played…This is very distinguished musicianship and very beautiful Beethoven playing…an emotionally and intellectually satisfying Beethoven cycle. Urgently recommended.
” —Keith R. Fisher

Fanfare

“
After many hours of listening to this set, I must say that it is one to savor. The playing is crisp and the voices well delineated. Each time, even in the best-known sonatas, I hear a new detail. This box set will take a place in my CD library…as a more complete reference with insightful, solid interpretations.
” —James Harrington

Fanfare

“
Honma’s Beethoven cycle, from beginning to end, gives equal justice to all. If there is one word to sum up Tamami Honma’s Beethoven piano sonata cycle, it would be “transcendental.”
” —Jerry Dubins

Fanfare

“
I have seldom heard a piano recorded with so huge a dynamic range. Is Honma a Classical Romantic, or is it the other way around? It hardly matters when Beethoven playing of this stature and invention graces my speakers…hers is a set not only rife with the kinds of detail that brings the listener back for more but brimming with the vitality that brings each sonata to life…it’s remarkably complete and endlessly rewarding.
” —Marc Medwin

The Pianist

“
this is the first time all 35 sonatas have been recorded by a woman pianist… Honma’s performances add to our understanding and appreciation of these great works… Her sensitivity, power, pin-sharp clarity and all-consuming commitment to this music would surely earn five stars from Beethoven.… It grabs the attention in a very Beethoven-like way… a truly admirable and musical account of these monumental works.
” —John Evans

Classics Today

“
One can surmise that Honma put a great deal of thought, research and practice time into this project, and her most stimulating interpretations provide food for thought.
” —Jed Distler

International Piano

“
…as a cycle this is rather good, and one I will return to often. I rather like its unobtrusive intimacy, never detracting from the music itself and Honma’s consistently fine playing of it.
” —Guy Rickards

InfoDad

“
As a totality, Honma’s Beethoven cycle… is a strong, meaningful and pianistically always impressive presentation of music…it certainly reflects thoughtfulness and a strong commitment to the music, in addition to very considerable technical skill.
” —Mark J Estren