COMPOSERS: Beethoven
LABELS: IDIS
WORKS: Piano Sonatas Opp. 31/1, 49, 53, 57 (Appassionata), 109 & 110
PERFORMER: Walter Gieseking (piano)
CATALOGUE NO: IDIS 6581-82
A bewildering compilation. There are some great moments here, mostly in Op. 110, but the overall approach is perfunctory, the pianist sounding only half there. It’s a good lesson in how to trivialise Beethoven. Jeremy Siepmann