Alfred Brendel's Grand Piano Recital: Bach/Busoni, Haydn, and Beethoven CD

Product Details

• UPC: 028943276023
• Product Type: Music CD
• Brand: Philips Digital Classics
• MPN (Catalog Number): 432 760-2 PH
• Artist: Alfred Brendel (Piano)
• Composers: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) transcr. Ferruccio Busoni (1866–1924), Joseph Haydn (1732–1809), Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)
• Genre: Classical
• Style: Baroque Transcription, Classical, Romantic, Solo Piano
• Release Year: 1992 (Copyright Year)
• Recording Type: Digital Recording (DDD)

Overview

This Philips Digital Classics CD showcases the intellectual depth and artistry of one of the 20th century's most revered pianists, Alfred Brendel. Recorded in 1991, this recital program focuses on central pillars of the piano repertoire, moving chronologically from the Baroque era through to the late Classical and early Romantic periods.

The album opens with Ferruccio Busoni's majestic transcription of J.S. Bach's Organ Chorale Prelude: "Nun komm der Heiden Heiland," BWV 659, followed by two engaging and often-overlooked Piano Sonatas by Joseph Haydn (Hob. XVI:44 and XVI:20). The program culminates in a profound performance of Ludwig van Beethoven's late, deeply spiritual Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat, Op. 110, a work celebrated for its moving combination of lyricism and fugal intensity. Brendel's performances are characterized by clarity, structural insight, and a refusal to indulge in unnecessary romanticism, offering fresh perspectives on these keyboard masterworks.

Product Features

• Format: Audio CD, Digital Recording (DDD)
• Soloist: Alfred Brendel (Klavier / Piano)
• Total Runtime: 1 hour 4 minutes (1'04"06')
• Recording Location: Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, UK, October 1991
• Digital Technology: Digital Recording (DDD)
• Packaging: Standard Jewel Case
• Manufacture: Printed and Made in Germany

Interesting Facts

• Brendel's Core Repertoire: Alfred Brendel is most famous for his authoritative interpretations of the "three great B's"—Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms, as well as Haydn and Mozart. This recital beautifully encapsulates this focus, pairing the rigorous structure of Bach/Busoni with the inventive forms of Haydn and the emotional breadth of Beethoven.
• Beethoven's Late Sonatas: The Sonata No. 31, Op. 110, is the middle of Beethoven's last three piano sonatas. It is particularly known for its unusual third movement structure, which consists of a sorrowful Adagio ma non troppo followed by a moving, inverted fugue, demonstrating the composer's late-period mastery of counterpoint and expressive depth.
• The Busoni Transcription: Busoni's transcriptions of Bach are famous for bringing the organ works of the Baroque master into the concert hall of the Romantic era, leveraging the grand power of the modern piano while remaining faithful to the original's essence. The chorale "Nun komm der Heiden Heiland" (Come, Saviour of the Gentiles) is a work of great solemnity and beauty.

Track Listing

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH 1685–1750 transcr. FERRUCCIO BUSONI 1866–1924 Orgel Chorale Prelude / Orgelchoralvorspiel / Prélude pour Choral d'orgue:

1. «Nun komm der Heiden Heiland» BWV 659 (5:13) (Publishers: Verlag • Edition: Breitkopf & Härtel)

JOSEPH HAYDN 1732–1809 Piano Sonata in G minor, Hob. XVI:44 / Klaviersonate g-moll

1. Moderato (8:52)
2. Allegretto (4:37)

Piano Sonata in C minor, Hob. XVI:20 / Klaviersonate c-moll

1. Moderato (9:56)
2. Andante con moto (9:55)
3. Finale: Allegro (6:37)

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN 1770–1827 Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat, Op. 110 / Klaviersonate As-dur

1. Moderato cantabile molto espressivo (6:32)
2. Allegro molto (2:10)
3. Adagio ma non troppo – Arioso dolente – Fuga: Allegro ma non troppo – L'istesso tempo di arioso – L'istesso tempo della Fuga (9:46)

ALFRED BRENDEL piano • Klavier 

Total playing-time: 1'04"06'

Publishers

• Label: PHILIPS (Philips Classics Productions)
• Copyright: ℗ 1992 Philips Classics Productions
• Manufacture: Printed in Germany, Made in Germany

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