Beethoven had only written five piano concertos in his life – the first at the age of 13, and the last at 39. These concertos are majestic repertoire considered to be part of the classical piano cannon to this day. One can see Beethoven’s transition from a Classical to Romantic style when they are placed side by side. In fact, side by side is exactly how we will be listening to these wonderful concerti this week. Join us for one Beethoven piano concerto a day, plus some of his more intimate works for the instrument, played by Leon Fleisher, Murray Perahia, Martha Argerich.
Beethoven and the Piano
Playlist
Episode 1
Beethoven: Piano Sonata in F Minor Op. 2 No. 1
I – Allegro
II – Adagio
Murray Perahia, piano
Beethoven – Piano Sonatas Nos. 1, 2, 3
Sony 64397
3:55, 4:40
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 19
Cleveland Orchestra/Szell
Leon Fleisher, piano
The Five Piano Concertos
CBS 42445
27:28, 1:14
Beethoven: Sonata for Piano No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13 “Pathétique”
I – Grave – Allegro di molto e con brio
Vladimir Ashkenazy, piano
Piano Sonatas . Sonates Pour Piano . Klaviersonaten :
Clair De Lune / Pathetique / Appassionata
Lon 410260
8:25
Beethoven: Sonata for Piano No. 9 in E major, Op. 14 No. 1
I – Allegro
Glenn Gould, piano
The Glenn Gould Edition
Sony 51638
3:13
Episode 2
Beethoven: Sonata No. 11 in B-flat, Op. 22
III – Menuetto
Garrick Ohlsson, piano
Garrick Ohlsson: The Complete Beethoven Sonatas
Arab 6773
3:29, :56
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15
Concertgebouw/Wallberg
Martha Argerich, piano
Martha Argerich – Live From The Concertgebouw 1978 & 1992
EMI 56974
:30, :25, 34:08
Beethoven: Sonata for Piano No. 14 in C# Minor, Op. 27 No 2 “Moonlight”
I – Adagio Sostenuto
III – Presto Agitato
Richard Goode, piano
Beethoven: The Complete Piano Sonatas
None 79328
12:28
Episode 3
Beethoven: Concerto for Piano No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37
Royal Concertgebouw/ Haitink
Murray Perahia, piano
Piano Concertos Nos. 3 & 4
CBS 39814
35:25, :44
Beethoven: Sonata for Piano No. 21 in C Major, Op. 53 “Waldstein”
I – Allegro con brio
III – Rondo. Allegretto moderato – Prestissimo (excerpt)
Alfred Brendel, piano
Beethoven: The Complete Piano Sonatas
Phil 412575
11:13, 4:07
Episode 4
Beethoven: Sonata for Piano No. 23 in F Minor, Op. 57 “Appassionata”
1 – Allegro assai
Vladimir Ashkenazy, piano
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas 14, 21,23
Lon 425838
9:30
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58
Weiner/ Rattle
Alfred Brendel, piano
Beethoven: The 5 Piano Concertos
Sony 52632
32:13
Beethoven: Sonata for Piano No. 24 in F# Major, Op. 78
I – Adagio cantabile — Allegro ma non troppo
Jean-Bernard Pommier, piano
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3; Piano Sonatas Nos. 21 “Waldstein” & 24
Apex 48994
7:40
Episode 5
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 6 in D major, Op. 61
III – Rondo. Allegro
Sinfonia Varsovia/Menuhin
François-René Duchable, piano
Beethoven: Piano Concertos no 2 & 6
EMI 56875
10:26
Beethoven: Concerto for Piano No. 5 in E-flat Major, Op. 73 “Emperor”
Berlin Phil/Leitner
Wilhelm Kempff, piano
Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos 4 & 5
DG 447402
38:20
Beethoven: Sonata for Piano No. 21 in C Major, Op. 53 “Waldstein”
II – Introduzione. Adagio molto
Alfred Brendel, piano
Sämtliche Klaviersonaten • The Complete Piano Sonatas • Les 32 Sonates Pour Piano
Phil 412575
3:48