Glenn Gould plays Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 1-3; 5-10; 12-14; 15-18; 23; 30-32

Glenn Gould was infamous for his quirks, but his understanding of music and his piano technique were at the highest levels. The nuances of expression, dynamics and rhythm elevate these works from compositional masterworks to musical feats. If you want to hear what Beethoven probably had in mind when he wrote these, you need go no further. Yes, there are other recordings of these, but none as complete as this set, and none with Gould's particular perspective.

When I think for Beethoven piano sonatas, CD 1 of this set is what I always turn to. It's my Beethoven warhorse and it's utterly fantastic! Gould's interpretation is granular, articulate, and it sounds really different from anything else. I love it. It's just a perfect recording, it's balanced and fresh, and, frankly, it just doesn't get old for me. I can listen to it again and again and I do every month or so.

Glenn Gould has had a complicated relationship with Beethoven -- amply borne out here by some of the strange choices of tempo for some of the movements. Nonetheless, this is a wonderful piece of work, and people like me who believeGlenn Gould is one of the most remarkable artists of the last century will -- overall -- love his work on these Beethoven (acknowledged) masterpieces.

Glenn Gould was one of the great classical pianists, and this collection gathers together many (but not all) of his recordings of the Beethoven Piano Sonatas. Lots of great music here, and performed by a true iconoclast.

Product was sent DHL; they wanted a DIRECT signature (usually only booze needs it) which usually is (and this time WAS) a royal pain in the ass. They only make TWO tries (FedEx makes 3). I ended up driving 20 miles to grab it.Recording is excellent.

It's Glenn Gould...nuffsaid.

I'm going to disagree with the overwhelming praise heaped on this interpretation of Beethoven's sonatas by the other reviewers here. I love Glenn Gould, but his talents are more appropriate for the baroque music he is famous for playing than for these classical sonatas. Some moments are beautiful, for sure (Gould seems especially good at the mild and aria-like second movements). But some of his interpretative choices are bizarre and actually seem to work against some of Beethoven's greatest strengths as a composer. For example, Beethoven's flowing lines and subtleties seem washed away in Gould's maddening romp through the C Minor first movement (Sonata no.5).I think Gould is a genius. I normally love his playing. But these are not his best work.

If you want to celebrate the most nimble set of ten ( or maybe 20 ) fingers in history, this selection is for you.Otherwise, look elsewhere. Glenn Gould changes tempo, timbre, dynamics, etc, etc, so often that you start asking : where's Beethoven. The genius thinks that he knows better than the composer. Nevertheless, you can hear the unique resonance of Gould's creation, the Steinway piano CD 318. The amazing sound of this piano lends itself much better in the Mozart sonatas than here.

Você ama ou deseja conhecer Beethoven e suas sonatas para piano? Você tem abertura para interpretações originais e muitas vezes não convencionais de um dos maiores pianistas de todos os tempos? Essa ampla coletânea reúne a genialidade de Beethoven filtrada pela genialidade de Glenn Gould e representa o registro do que a humanidade tem de mais belo!!!

6 CD's of Glenn Gould playing Beethoven's sonatas. What more do you need? 5 stars.

I borrowed this CD from a colleague. After returning it wanted my own. Now hooked on Gould!

Stupendo

A comparer avec des versions plus récentes, le parti-pris est parfois surprenant mais toujours intéressant !