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Review by Arnaldo May 3, 2009 (12 of 12 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics (S): |
The concept of a symphonic piano might sound like a paradox, but to this modest pair of ears, it is the perfect definition for this and the two previous volumes in Igor Tchetuev's ongoing cycle of Beethoven piano sonatas. While multidimensional reproduction is no big deal in a surround sound setup, to achieve it from a stereo headphone system is nothing short of amazing (please do not judge me too harshly for my listening preference, as it is the only viable alternative for an apartment dweller in New York City).
Other achievements are the thunderous bass lines and the rich overtones in the mid to upper octaves, an extremely problematic area in many (most really) piano recordings, including some SACDs. To this effect, Tchetuev's virtuosity is fully matched by the sensitivity of the Polyhymnia recording team, doing the honors here for the folks at Caro Mitis. Just think of Tchetuev as the conductor and the recording engineers as the orchestra, perfectly attuned to each other.
The last component of this equation is the beautiful sound of the Fazioli piano. To confirm this impression, just listen to measure 26 of the Adagio movement in the third sonata, where the bass octaves marked FF are powerful and resonant, but complement rather than overwhelm the accompanying arpeggio. Or the thrilling trills (no pun intended) in thirds from the first movement of the same sonata.
Coincidentally, a Fazioli piano was also used in the first two releases of Angela Hewitt's Beethoven cycle, which Hyperion Records intends to continue in RBCD only. Suffice to say that my overextended dollars are going to line up the pockets of our Russian friends at Caro Mitis with lots of freshly minted rubles. On the other hand, Hyperion's ill-advised decision to condemn itself to red-book purgatory, shall serve to deprive its coffers of some much needed and undervalued pounds sterling.
Getting back to the point, while there may be better performances of specific sonatas elsewhere, from a cycle perspective, Tchetuev seems unparalleled so far. And that goes for the competition in other formats as well, including comparisons to the likes of Kempf, Schiff, Barenboim and O'Conor.
The next installments are eagerly awaited...
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