Ronald Brautigam - Beethoven: Complete Works for Solo Piano, Vol. 1 - Sonatas Nos. 8-11 (2004) Hi-Res

This is the first volume of a very promising series of the complete solo piano works of Beethoven on BIS, performed by Ronald Brautigam on the fortepiano. The way Brautigam plays the four Sonatas Nos. 8-11 makes it very easy to believe the stories about Beethoven testing the limits of the available technology and actually breaking pianos. Brautigam doesn't treat his instrument as a more delicate version of a modern piano, but uses as much strength and energy as he would on a modern piano. His reading of the Pathétique's first movement Allegro molto is intense, headstrong, and stops just short of being of out of control, making it a thrilling joyride. He treats the Adagio cantabile not as a languorous, slow movement, but as a moment of respite between the Allegro movements. The Rondo is as exciting as the first movement. The remaining sonatas on the disc are lighter in mood, but Brautigam uses only slightly less strength in his execution. He maintains an energy and momentum that make the Allegros almost Presto, while the middle movements are more sedate and Classically refined. The excitement of Brautigam's performance is compounded by the excellent sound of the recording, which is not at all quiet, considering the instrument. Brautigam's Beethoven on the fortepiano is wholly satisfying and gets the series off to an excellent start.