The Complete Beethoven Sonatas – Vol. 4

Peter Takács

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Original Recording Format: DSD 64
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The Complete Beethoven Sonatas by pianist Peter Takacs features 11 DSD albums that include not only Beethoven’s well-known 32 sonatas, but all of the early piano sonatas that remained unnumbered as well as the only sonata that Beethoven wrote for four hands.

The albums were recorded in 5 Channel Surround Sound DSD 64 by Soundmirror at Concert Hall of the Music and Mass Communication Department of Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee in December 2001 through early September 2004. Peter Takacs played the Bösendorfer Imperial Grand Piano at the Concert Hall.

Embarking on a life-long project, pianist Peter Takacs presents all of the composer’s sonatas for the first time in one package. When asked why he initiated this ambitious project, Takacs commented, “I have lived with these magnificent works, as performer and teacher for many years. I find in them a record of a great composer’s development from his youth as a brilliant virtuoso to the peaks of musical maturity. One recurrent aspect of these sonatas is their strikingly modern relevance as universal statements about the human condition – about struggle and suffering, healing and transcendence. In them one gleans a mind intent on surprising and delighting the listener, pushing the envelope of accepted rules, and being inspired by nature both in its pastoral serenity and its turbulence (reflecting inner turmoil as well).”

About Peter Takács

Hailed as “a marvelous pianist” by The New York Times, Peter Takács has established himself as a distinguished performer, teacher, and lecturer. Winner of the William Kapell International Competition, he has appeared in recite, chamber music, and with orchestras in the United States, Europe, and Asia. He has given master classes throughout the world and has been an adjudicator in many prestigious international competitions.

In 2015-16, he inaugurated a new recital series entitles “Key Pianists,” performing three all-Beethoven programs at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. His recording of the complete Beethoven Piano Sonatas was released on the Cambria label in July 2011 to critical acclaim.

Recorded in 5 Channel Surround Sound DSD 64 by Soundmirror, the albums are now Available in Stereo and 5 Channel Surround Sound DSD 256. DSD 128 and DSD 64 plus Stereo DSD 512, exclusively at Native DSD.

A Note From the Artist

For many reasons, I feel strongly that the musical text should not act as a final destination, but rather constitute a point of departure for the interpreter. First, there is no such things as “the text,” since what we see on the printed page of even fully dependable editions is a composite of many, often contradictory, source materials and editorial decisions. Second, musical traditions have changed over the centuries, and we have to reconstruct the original intentions of composers by immersing ourselves in historical and artistic contexts, which may entail implications not found on the printed page. Third, we have to search for narrative truth by empathetically divining what my great teacher Leon Fleisher calls “the wisdom of the material,” the unspoken essence that lies beyond the notes.

This music is centuries old, and while some of its meanings may have changed over time, I fervently believe it carries the same evocative power today as it did at its conception. In that spirit, at every point, I have tried to create a sense of naturalness and inevitability in my interpretive choices, in an attempt to fulfil Beethoven’s words: “Von Herzen Möge es wieder zu Herzen gene!” (From the heart, may it return to the heart!).

Peter Takács – Piano

Tracklist

Please note that the below previews are loaded as 44.1 kHz / 16 bit.
1.
"Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13, ""Patheique"" - Grave Allegro di molto e con brio"
08:44
2.
"Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13, ""Patheique"" - Adagio cantabile"
04:50
3.
"Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13, ""Patheique"" - Rondo Allegro"
04:39
4.
Sonata No. 9 in E major, Op. 14 No. 1 - Allegro
06:07
5.
Sonata No. 9 in E major, Op. 14 No. 1 - Alegretto
03:08
6.
Sonata No. 9 in E major, Op. 14 No. 1 - Rondo Allegro assai
03:25
7.
Sonata No. 10 in G major, Op. 14 No. 2 - Allegro
06:54
8.
Sonata No. 10 in G major, Op. 14 No. 2 - Andante
04:36
9.
Sonata No. 10 in G major, Op. 14 No. 2 - Allegro assai
03:45
10.
Sonata No. 12 in A-flat major, Op. 26 - Andante con veriazioni
07:12
11.
Sonata No. 12 in A-flat major, Op. 26 - Scherzo Allegro molto
02:56
12.
Sonata No. 12 in A-flat major, Op. 26 - Marcia funebre sulla morte d'un eroe
06:32
13.
Sonata No. 12 in A-flat major, Op. 26 - Allegro
02:56

Total time: 01:05:44

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Release DateJuly 15, 2022

Press reviews

An Extraordinary Set!

Native has many Beethoven Piano Sonata recordings available: excellent Waldsteins, wonderful Moonlights, exciting Tempests, and heartfelt Pathetiques. It’s hard to go wrong with the most popular Sonatas. But what about all the others? What if I told you that there are superb performances, superbly recorded, of all the Piano Sonatas (along with a few extras) available now! All 11 of Peter Takacs’ Beethoven albums are available individually, and in a money saving DSD bundle. I’ll let you read about the details of Peter Takacs life and performance history in the descriptions. What I’m anxious to tell you about is my reaction to this incredible group as a complete set.

Takacs is not an overly flamboyant pianist. He lets Beethoven speak for himself, yet I found absolutely nothing missing in these performances. The “greatest hits” sonatas are as fine as one could wish for, but what really impressed me is how much I thoroughly enjoyed all of the lesser known ones.  I kept thinking that each was like a totally new discovery, and each was something I would never want to be without. Am I over-selling? I’m trying not to do that, but as someone who has enjoyed fine piano music all my life, I must tell you I am impressed. And finally, the recordings are top-quality. Not too far, not too close, the perspective and clarity are absolutely perfect to my ears. Make up your own mind, but the complete DSD set would be my first recommendation!

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