SACD & Other Hi-Res Reviews
BEETHOVEN: Complete Piano Sonatas, Vol. 2 – Igor Tchetuev, piano – Caro Mitis
The results are darn near irresistible. Bring on Volume 3! Very highly recommended!
Published on February 19, 2009
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BEETHOVEN: Complete Piano Sonatas, Vol. 2 – Igor Tchetuev, piano – Caro Mitis Multichannel SACD CM 0042005, 58 min. ***** [Distr. by Harmonia mundi]:
Volume 2 of this so far excellent series from Russian label Caro Mitis just confirms my impressions of the first installment of this cycle – it’s a hands down winner on all levels! Igor Tchetuev continues his survey of the Beethoven Sonatas with Nos. 8 (Pathetique), 15 (Pastoral) and 24, and his mastery of these seminal works is just as much in evidence as the first time around. I’m convinced that with time, this series of recordings will stand as a reference along with the great ones. While some have criticized his occasional lack of exuberance as a negative, I see it more as restraint – flamboyance needs to be applied judiciously to these works. A clear case is the almost measured approach he takes to the rondo of the Pathetique sonata; while many would fly dizzyingly though this movement, Tchetuev takes a less frenetic pace. While his unhurried approach may not suit everyone’s tastes, it is no less true to Beethoven’s intentions, and the superb pianisms that spring forth from his perfectly tuned Fazioli concert grand are a delight to listen to.
As with everything I’ve heard from Caro Mitis, the recorded sound is remarkably good. Once again, the use of Meitner and Polyhymnia equipment and personnel have served the music well, and the sound is to die for, especially when utilizing the SACD multichannel layer. Very few discs can offer as good an illusion of a piano occupying a real space, and when the pianist is every bit the match for his muse and the recording team, the results are darn near irresistible. Bring on Volume 3! Very highly recommended!
-- Tom Gibbs
Volume 2 of this so far excellent series from Russian label Caro Mitis just confirms my impressions of the first installment of this cycle – it’s a hands down winner on all levels! Igor Tchetuev continues his survey of the Beethoven Sonatas with Nos. 8 (Pathetique), 15 (Pastoral) and 24, and his mastery of these seminal works is just as much in evidence as the first time around. I’m convinced that with time, this series of recordings will stand as a reference along with the great ones. While some have criticized his occasional lack of exuberance as a negative, I see it more as restraint – flamboyance needs to be applied judiciously to these works. A clear case is the almost measured approach he takes to the rondo of the Pathetique sonata; while many would fly dizzyingly though this movement, Tchetuev takes a less frenetic pace. While his unhurried approach may not suit everyone’s tastes, it is no less true to Beethoven’s intentions, and the superb pianisms that spring forth from his perfectly tuned Fazioli concert grand are a delight to listen to.
As with everything I’ve heard from Caro Mitis, the recorded sound is remarkably good. Once again, the use of Meitner and Polyhymnia equipment and personnel have served the music well, and the sound is to die for, especially when utilizing the SACD multichannel layer. Very few discs can offer as good an illusion of a piano occupying a real space, and when the pianist is every bit the match for his muse and the recording team, the results are darn near irresistible. Bring on Volume 3! Very highly recommended!
-- Tom Gibbs
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