Beethoven Piano Sonatas

Quite a while back I found a CD release of an old LP of Beethoven Sonatas by Wilhelm Backhaus on the London Records Jubilee label. The LP was the first I ever had of the Moonlight, Pathetique and Appassionata Sonatas, and I think I could not have had a better introduction to these works.

There is now a 2CD release of the above sonatas while adding Les Adieux, Pastoral, Tempest and the Waldstein Sonatas. The recordings range in date from 1959 to 1964, and the sound is warm and cozy, and a little on soft on the treble, but otherwise a great collection. The CD release is an import, but I just noticed that it is back in stock at Amazon again for the time being. Well worth getting this collection even if you have other recordings of these works, because Backhaus is a great performer from the older days.

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