Beethoven - Piano Sonatas
Opp.54, 57, 78 & 90
Maurizio Pollini
DG 474 4512 (2CD)

Release date April 2003

Nothing remotely like the Appassionata Sonata had ever been conceived for the piano before, even by Beethoven himself, who always liked to push at the boundaries of the possible in his music. Even today, it remains one of the supreme technical challenges to the pianist. Maurizio Pollini has waited until his sixtieth year before committing it to disc, a time when many a virtuoso would have long since dropped it from their repertoires. His technique remains as formidable as ever it was; not many pianists could deliver the rocketing chordal passage in the first movement’s coda with Pollini’s furious precision. Berlioz’s famous comment about the Fifth Symphony’s Scherzo – “like the gaze of a mesmeriser” can be pressed into service for Pollini’s awesomely still playing in the following variations, while the finale is properly tempestuous while observing Beethoven’s Allegro, ma non troppo qualification. Amongst other things, Pollini includes a lovely account of the F sharp major sonata. I haven’t always responded positively to Pollini in Beethoven, but this recording finds the great Italian pianist at his most committed, and there is much to admire here. DG offers a 'limited edition' second CD including live performances of the Appassionata and Op. 78 sonatas. The end of the F sharp sonata catches the audience totally unawares; Beethoven still retains the ability to surprise!

Reviewed by Sandy Matheson