Gilels Plays Beethoven & Weber, Emil Gilels, Music CD

Gilels Plays Beethoven & Weber
1.	Piano Sonata No. 21 in C major ("Waldstein"), Op. 53 24:06
	Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
	Performed by Emil Gilels
2.	Variations (12) on a Russian Dance from Wranitzky's "Das Waldm�dchen," for piano in A major, WoO 71 11:54
	Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
	Performed by Emil Gilels
3.	Variations (32) on an original theme for piano in C minor, WoO 80 10:55
	Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
	Performed by Emil Gilels
4.	Piano Sonata No. 2 in A flat major, J. 199 (Op. 39) 29:10
	Composed by Carl Maria von Weber
	Performed by Emil Gilels

Biography

Editorial Reviews

This 1968 live recording of Soviet pianist Emil Gilels includes both familiar and unfamiliar repertoire. Among the familiar works are Beethoven's Waldstein Sonata and C minor Variations, and Gilels delivers standout readings of both. His Waldstein is rapturously exciting in its fast outer movements and deeply introspective in its slow central movement (which is actually an extended introduction to the finale), while his playing of the C minor Variations is relentlessly dramatic and unrelievedly intense. The less familiar works include Beethoven's Twelve Variations on the Russian Dance from Paul Wranitsky's ballet Das W�ldm�dchen, and Carl Maria von Weber's Piano Sonata in A flat major, and Gilels again turns in first rank accounts. His performance of Twelve Variations is lightly amusing and always appealing, and his A flat Sonata is lovingly lyrical and wonderfully fresh. In every work, Gilels demonstrates his superlative technique, agile dexterity, and finely calibrated tone. There are some missed notes, but these are live performances, where a few flaws aren't uncommon even in stupendous performances. BBC Music's monaural sound is strongly present, but dry and a bit gray. Jim Leonard, All Music Guide

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Gilels Plays Beethoven & Weber
1.	Piano Sonata No. 21 in C major ("Waldstein"), Op. 53 24:06
	Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
	Performed by Emil Gilels
2.	Variations (12) on a Russian Dance from Wranitzky's "Das Waldm�dchen," for piano in A major, WoO 71 11:54
	Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
	Performed by Emil Gilels
3.	Variations (32) on an original theme for piano in C minor, WoO 80 10:55
	Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
	Performed by Emil Gilels
4.	Piano Sonata No. 2 in A flat major, J. 199 (Op. 39) 29:10
	Composed by Carl Maria von Weber
	Performed by Emil Gilels

All Music Guide

This 1968 live recording of Soviet pianist Emil Gilels includes both familiar and unfamiliar repertoire. Among the familiar works are Beethoven's Waldstein Sonata and C minor Variations, and Gilels delivers standout readings of both. His Waldstein is rapturously exciting in its fast outer movements and deeply introspective in its slow central movement (which is actually an extended introduction to the finale), while his playing of the C minor Variations is relentlessly dramatic and unrelievedly intense. The less familiar works include Beethoven's Twelve Variations on the Russian Dance from Paul Wranitsky's ballet Das W�ldm�dchen, and Carl Maria von Weber's Piano Sonata in A flat major, and Gilels again turns in first rank accounts. His performance of Twelve Variations is lightly amusing and always appealing, and his A flat Sonata is lovingly lyrical and wonderfully fresh. In every work, Gilels demonstrates his superlative technique, agile dexterity, and finely calibrated tone. There are some missed notes, but these are live performances, where a few flaws aren't uncommon even in stupendous performances. BBC Music's monaural sound is strongly present, but dry and a bit gray. Jim Leonard

Product Details

Format: CD
Release Date: 10/13/2009
Label: BBC LEGENDS
Catalog No.: 4260
UPC: 684911426021
Sales Rank: 55,150

Album Credits
Performance Credits
Emil Gilels		Primary Artist