Solomon Plays Late Beethoven Sonatas
Published:
COMPOSERS: Beethoven
LABELS: EMI Réferences
PERFORMER: Solomon (piano)
CATALOGUE NO: CHS 7 64708 2 ADD mono (2 discs)
The image of urbanity suited Artur Rubinstein, although his pre-war Chopin recordings have far greater drive and impetuosity than their stereo successors. Add elegance for the Mazurkas, and proud bearing for the Polonaises, and you have a pretty appetising interpretative recipe. More so, perhaps, than with Solomon’s rather health-conscious Beethoven.
These admirably thought-through performances are beautifully executed, yet they somehow fail to engage the emotions (Op. 111 excepted), and that in spite of their obvious intelligence and pianistic refinement. But I admit to favouring a more outwardly demonstrative style of Beethoven playing, and respond less than some to Solomon’s much-admired interpretative humility.