Wilhelm Kempff – Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas (8 CD + Blu-ray Pure Audio)

Product Information

• UPC: 028948374298
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• Product Type: Box Set (Reissue) – 8 CDs & Blu-ray Pure Audio
• Format:                           Artist: Wilhelm Kempff
  • CDs: Remastered, Stereo (Reissue, Dual-layer Blu-ray audio available)
  • Blu-ray: Pure Audio remastered at 24 bit / 96kHz
• Repertoire: Ludwig van Beethoven – Complete Piano Sonatas
• Edition: This Edition 2019
• Country of Manufacture: Made in the EU
• Studio: Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
• Release Date: September 6, 2019
• Genre: Classical, Romantic
• Audio Encoding: Dolby Digital Stereo (CDs); High Definition Pure Audio on Blu-ray
• Additional Features:
  • 92-page booklet with texts in English and German
  • Remastered recordings from historic sessions (1964-65) captured in the Beethovensaal, Hannover
• Contact & Website:
  • Website: www.deutschegrammophon.com
  • Facebook: Deutsche Grammophon
  • Customer Support: +49 289 483 7429 (GmbH)

Overview

English Overview

Experience one of the twentieth century’s most celebrated interpretations of Beethoven’s music in this extraordinary comprehensive box set. Performed by the legendary pianist Wilhelm Kempff, acclaimed as "the most inspirational of Beethoven pianists" by Gramophone, this collection features all of Beethoven’s complete piano sonatas. Recorded in 1964-65 when Kempff was 69, these historic performances are meticulously remastered and now presented in a dual audio format—8 CDs in superb stereo and an exclusive Blu-ray disc offering Pure Audio remastered at 24 bit / 96kHz—to bring every nuance of this monumental repertoire to life. Spanning the complete scope of Beethoven’s sonatas from the dramatic “Hammerklavier” to the introspective “Moonlight,” this reissue is an indispensable treasure for collectors and enthusiasts of classical music.

Product Features

Audio & Format Excellence

• Complete Repertoire:
  All 32 Beethoven piano sonatas, spanning early works to mature masterpieces.
• Dual Audio Formats:
  Enjoy pristine sound quality on 8 CDs (stereo, remastered) and an accompanying Blu-ray disc featuring Pure Audio remastered in 24 bit / 96kHz.
• Enhanced Listening Experience:
  The Blu-ray Pure Audio format ensures a high-resolution, immersive playback that captures every subtle detail of Kempff's performance.

Packaging & Additional Content

• Collector’s Edition Box Set:
  Housed in a premium package that includes a 92-page booklet with insightful texts in both English and German.
• Historical Significance:
  Features recordings made in 1964-65 at the Beethovensaal, Hannover, offering a window into Kempff’s masterful interpretation during his later years.
• Expert Remastering:
  Remastered by Deutsche Grammophon to preserve the original acoustic ambiance while enhancing modern audio fidelity.

Track Highlights

While the set comprises an extensive track listing covering all 32 sonatas, notable highlights include:

• Sonata No. 8 “Pathetique” and Sonata No. 14 “Moonlight” capturing emotional depth and poetic subtlety.
• The monumental Hammerklavier Sonata (Sonata No. 29) with its expansive, intricate movements.
• The vibrant and virtuosic Waldstein Sonata (Sonata No. 21).

Interesting Facts

English Interesting Facts

• Historic Recordings:
  These recordings, made in the mid-1960s when Kempff was at the zenith of his artistry, have been heralded by critics and continue to influence generations of pianists.
• Critical Acclaim:
  Gramophone described Kempff as "the most inspirational of Beethoven pianists," attesting to the profound impact of his interpretations.
• State-of-the-Art Remastering:
  Employing cutting-edge remastering techniques, the Blu-ray Pure Audio ensures every dynamic nuance and tonal subtlety is delivered with crystal clarity.
• Cultural Legacy:
  This box set not only preserves a pivotal moment in classical performance history but also stands as a testament to Beethoven’s timeless music as interpreted by one of its greatest exponents.

Track List:

CD 1

Sonata No. 1, Op. 2 in F Minor
• Track 1: Allegro – 6:36
• Track 2: Adagio – 4:42
• Track 3: Menuetto. Allegretto – 3:01
• Track 4: Prestissimo – 4:59

Sonata No. 2, Op. 2 in A Major
• Track 5: Allegro Vivace – 7:12
• Track 6: Largo Appassionato – 6:40
• Track 7: Scherzo. Allegretto – 3:24
• Track 8: Rondo. Grazioso – 6:27

Sonata No. 4, Op. 7 in E‑flat Major
• Track 9: Allegro Molto e con brio – 9:04
• Track 10: Largo, con gran espressione – 8:10
• Track 11: Allegro – 5:18
• Track 12: Rondo. Poco allegretto e grazioso – 7:12

CD 2

Sonata No. 3, Op. 2 in C Major
• Track 1: Allegro con brio – 9:53
• Track 2: Adagio – 7:03
• Track 3: Scherzo. Allegro – 3:20
• Track 4: Allegro assai – 5:18

Sonata No. 5, Op. 10 No. 1 in C Minor
• Track 5: Allegro molto e con brio – 6:17
• Track 6: Adagio molto – 7:27
• Track 7: Finale, Prestissimo – 4:08

Sonata No. 6, Op. 10 No. 2 in F Major
• Track 8: Allegro – 4:28
• Track 9: Allegretto – 3:32
• Track 10: Presto – 4:01

Sonata No. 7, Op. 10 No. 3 in D Major
• Track 11: Presto – 7:06
• Track 12: Largo e mesto – 8:47
• Track 13: Menuetto. Allegro – 2:46
• Track 14: Rondo. Allegro – 3:55

CD 3

Sonata No. 8 “Pathétique”, Op. 13 in C Minor
• Track 1: Grave – Allegro di molto e con brio – 7:20
• Track 2: Adagio cantabile – 4:56
• Track 3: Rondo. Allegro – 4:31

Sonata No. 9, Op. 14 No. 1 in E Major
• Track 4: Allegro – 5:12
• Track 5: Allegretto – 3:33
• Track 6: Rondo. Allegro comodo – 3:48

Sonata No. 10, Op. 14 No. 2 in G Major
• Track 7: Allegro – 5:54
• Track 8: Andante – 5:19
• Track 9: Scherzo. Allegro assai – 3:29

Sonata No. 11, Op. 22 in B‑flat Minor
• Track 10: Allegro con brio – 7:27
• Track 11: Adagio con molta espressione – 7:08
• Track 12: Menuetto – 3:02
• Track 13: Rondo. Allegretto – 6:21

CD 4

Sonata No. 12, Op. 26 in A‑flat Major
• Track 1: Andante con variazioni – 7:19
• Track 2: Scherzo. Allegro molto – 3:02
• Track 3: Marcia funebre sulle morte d’un eroe – 5:36
• Track 4: Allegro – 3:14

Sonata No. 13, Op. 27 No. 1 in E‑flat Major
• Track 5: Andante – Allegro – Tempo I – Attacca – 4:15
• Track 6: Scherzo. Allegro molto e vivace – Attacca – 2:12
• Track 7: Adagio con espressione – Attacca – 2:34
• Track 8: Allegro vivace – 5:30

Sonata No. 14 “Moonlight”, Op. 27 No. 2 in C‑sharp Minor
• Track 9: Adagio sostenuto – Attacca – 6:01
• Track 10: Allegro – Attacca – 2:20
• Track 11: Presto agitato – 5:30

Sonata No. 15 “Pastorale”, Op. 28 in D Major
• Track 12: Allegro – 7:12
• Track 13: Andante – 6:20
• Track 14: Scherzo. Allegro vivace – 2:17
• Track 15: Rondo. Allegro ma non troppo – 5:03

CD 5

Sonata No. 16, Op. 31 No. 1 in G Major
• Track 1: Allegro vivace – 6:27
• Track 2: Adagio grazioso – 9:57
• Track 3: Rondo. Allegretto – 6:33

Sonata No. 17 “The Tempest”, Op. 31 No. 2 in D Minor
• Track 4: Largo – Allegro – 8:22
• Track 5: Adagio – 7:07
• Track 6: Allegretto – 7:03

Sonata No. 18 “The Hunt”, Op. 31 No. 3 in E‑flat Major
• Track 7: Allegro – 8:30
• Track 8: Scherzo. Allegretto vivace – 5:22
• Track 9: Menuetto. Moderato e grazioso – 4:16
• Track 10: Presto con fuoco – 4:51

Sonata No. 19, Op. 49 No. 1 in G Minor
• Track 11: Andante – 4:05
• Track 12: Rondo. Allegro – 3:50

CD 6

Sonata No. 20, Op. 49 No. 2 in G Major
• Track 1: Allegro, ma non troppo – 4:33
• Track 2: Tempo di menuetto – 3:46

Sonata No. 21 “Waldstein”, Op. 53 in C Major
• Track 3: Allegro con brio – 10:55
• Track 4: Introduzione. Adagio molto – Attacca – 3:06
• Track 5: Rondo. Allegretto moderato – 9:47

Sonata No. 22, Op. 54 in F Major
• Track 6: In tempo d’un menuetto – 5:45
• Track 7: Allegretto – 6:16

Sonata No. 23 “Appassionata”, Op. 57 in F Minor
• Track 8: Allegro assai – 9:53
• Track 9: Andante con moto – Attacca – 6:01
• Track 10: Allegro, ma non troppo – Presto – 8:48

Sonata No. 24, Op. 78 in F‑sharp Minor
• Track 11: Adagio cantabile – Allegro, ma non troppo – 5:05
• Track 12: Allegro vivace – 3:00

CD 7

Sonata No. 25, Op. 79 in G Major
• Track 1: Presto alla tedesca – 3:12
• Track 2: Andante – 2:41
• Track 3: Vivace – 2:01

Sonata No. 26 “Les Adieux”, Op. 81a in E‑flat Major
• Track 4: Das Lebewohl = Les Adieux. Adagio – Allegro – 7:06
• Track 5: Abwesenheit = L’Absence. Andante espressivo – 2:57
• Track 6: Das Wiedersehn = Le Retour. Vivacissimamente – 4:17

Sonata No. 27, Op. 90 in E Minor
• Track 7: (Mit Lebhaftigkeit und...) – 5:17
• Track 8: (Nicht zu geschwind…) – 8:50

Sonata No. 29 “Hammerklavier”, Op. 106 in B‑flat Major
• Track 9: Allegro – 8:51
• Track 10: Scherzo. Assai vivace – 2:44
• Track 11: Adagio sostenuto, appassionato e con molto sentimento – 16:31
• Track 12: Largo – Allegro risoluto – 12:05

CD 8

Sonata No. 28, Op. 101 in A Major
• Track 1: Etwas lebhaft und der innigsten Empfindung. Allegro, ma non troppo – 3:33
• Track 2: Lebhaft, marschmäßig. Vivace alla marcia – 5:52
• Track 3: Langsam und sehnsuchtsvoll. Adagio, ma non troppo, con effetto – Attacca – 2:32
• Track 4: Geschwinde, doch nicht zu sehr und mit Entschlossenheit. Allegro – 5:47

Sonata No. 29 “Hammerklavier” continues on the Blu‑ray as well, but on CD 8 the remaining works include:

Sonata No. 30, Op. 109 in E Major
• Track 5: Vivace, ma non troppo – 3:20
• Track 6: Prestissimo – 2:28
• Track 7: Gesangvoll, mit innigster Empfindung. Andante molto cantabile ed espressivo – 11:08

Sonata No. 31, Op. 110 in A‑flat Major
• Track 8: Moderato cantabile molto espressivo – 6:17
• Track 9: Allegro molto – 2:17
• Track 10: Adagio, ma non troppo – Fuga, Allegro ma non troppo – 9:46

Sonata No. 32, Op. 111 in C Minor
• Track 11: Maestoso. Allegro con brio ed appassionato – 8:58
• Track 12: Arietta. Adagio molto semplice e cantabile – 15:28

Blu‑ray Pure Audio (Track Overview)

The Blu‑ray disc mirrors the complete track listing of all 32 sonatas as listed above but is presented in a high-definition, pure audio format. For example, the Blu‑ray begins with:
Sonata No. 1, Op. 2 in F Minor:
• BD-1: Allegro
• BD-2: Adagio
• BD-3: Menuetto. Allegretto
• BD-4: Prestissimo
…and continues sequentially covering every movement as on the CDs.

This complete track listing faithfully presents Wilhelm Kempff’s masterful interpretation of Beethoven’s entire set of piano sonatas as remastered for this 2019 reissue by Deutsche Grammophon.

Feel free to refer to the booklet included in the box set for additional details such as liner notes, full track timings, and broader contextual information about each sonata.

Publishers

This collection is produced and distributed by Deutsche Grammophon GmbH. All recordings have been carefully remastered and reissued to meet the highest standards of audio quality. For more details, visit www.deutschegrammophon.com.

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