Alfred Brendel - Alfred Brendel: Steinway Legends '2006

Tracks list

Tracklist

CD1
01. Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue in D Minor, BWV 903
02. Piano Sonata in C, H. XVI, No. 50: I. Allegro
03. Piano Sonata in C, H. XVI, No. 50: II. Adagio
04. Piano Sonata in C, H. XVI, No. 50: III. Allegro molto
05. Fragment Of A Fantasia in C Minor K396
06. 3 Klavierstücke, D. 946 - No. 2 in E-Flat (Allegretto)
07. Nuages gris, S. 199
08. En reve, nocturne, S. 207
09. Richard-Wagner - Venezia, S. 201
10. Annèes de pèlerinage, 2ème annèe - Italie, S. 161: 7. Après
un lecture du Dante (Fantasia quasi Sonata)

CD2
01. Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op. 57 - "Appassionata": I. Allegro assai
02. Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op. 57 - "Appassionata": II. Andante con
moto
03. Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op. 57 - "Appassionata": III. Allegro ma non
troppo
04. Bagatelle in A Minor, WoO 59 -"Für Elise"
05. 8 Fantasiestücke, Op. 12: I. Des Abends
06. 8 Fantasiestücke, Op. 12: II. Aufschwung
07. 8 Fantasiestücke, Op. 12: III. Warum?
08. 8 Fantasiestücke, Op. 12: IV. Grillen
09. 8 Fantasiestücke, Op. 12: V. in der Nacht
10. 8 Fantasiestücke, Op. 12: VI. Fabel
11. 8 Fantasiestücke, Op. 12: VII. Traumes-Wirren
12. 8 Fantasiestücke, Op. 12: VIII. Ende vom Lied
13. Piano Sonata No. 10 in C Major, K. 330: I. Allegro moderato
14. Piano Sonata No. 10 in C Major, K. 330: II. Andante cantabile
15. Piano Sonata No. 10 in C Major, K. 330: III. Allegretto

What makes Alfred Brendel Alfred Brendel? What are the defining characteristics
of his playing that make him the instantly recognizable piano virtuoso he is? Is
it his prodigious intellect or his ability to comprehend all the aspects of the
score at once? Is it his rigorous interpretations and his ability to include all
aspects of the score in a single unity? Is it his brilliant lucidity or his
ability to express all aspects of the score with precisely the correct balance,
depth, and light? Is it his clarion tone or his ability to articulate all
aspects of the score with a touch as deliberately and precisely deployed as a
nuclear missile?
Is at least part of what makes Alfred Brendel Alfred Brendel the sound of his
recordings? It could be. For all the distinctiveness of his playing, at least
part of what makes Brendel instantly recognizable is the quality of Philips'
piano sound, that clear and crystalline sound that puts the piano right in the
room with the listener. And, speaking of which, at least a part of what makes
Alfred Brendel Alfred Brendel is the sound of his piano, a Steinway voiced
bright, clear, deep, and colorful and balanced so that the top rings, the middle
sings, and the bottom resound like bells. With choice performances selected from
Brendel's vast discography - his astounding recording of Schumann's
Fantasiestücke, Op. 12, may be the single standout here, but they are all
amazing - this two-disc set will serve as a fine introduction to the inimitable
artistry of Alfred Brendel.

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