Beethoven: Piano Sonatas - Vinyl

Beethovens piano sonatas are part of the standard keyboard repertoire. The three favourites, whose legendary status has earned them their lasting popularity, are the Moonlight Sonata, the Appassionata and the Pathétique. Here they can be enjoyed in great performances by pianist Peter Rösel.

When, at the end of the 1970s, I was asked by the head of production at Eterna to record these three famous Beethoven sonatas, I wanted a little time to think about the proposal before accepting. That was because in the GDR you were expected to exceed the achievement of a record already released featuring the same works. The performer on the existing recording was Wilhelm Kempff, so the bar for a young pianist was set pretty high. Nevertheless, I decided to go ahead and accept the challenge. Without wanting to seem immodest, I can say that I was pretty satisfied with the result, and I still am today. The fact that the recording will now be made available on both CD and vinyl for todays music lovers gives me immense pleasure. (Peter Rösel, Dresden 2016)

Side A:

Sonate cis-moll op. 27 Nr. 2 (Mondscheinsonate)

1. I. Adagio sostenuto

2. II. Allegretto

3. III. Presto agitato

Sonate c-moll op. 13 (Pathetique)

4. I. Grave - Allegro di molto e con brio

5. II. Adagio cantabile

Side B:

6. III. Rondo: Allegro

Sonate f-moll op. 57 (Apasionata)

7. I. Allegro assai

8. II. Andante con moto

9. III. Allegro ma non troppo