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Bridge Records is pleased to be releasing the second of a series of
Garrick Ohlsson Beethoven Sonata discs as part of its new Garrick Ohlsson Edition.
Beethoven Sonatas, Vol. 2 includes an early sonata, and two of Beethoven's finest later
sonatas. The C-minor Sonata, Op. 111 was Beethoven’s last piano sonata, and as annotator
Harris Goldsmith writes, it is a composition that presents “stormy elements tempered by an
Olympian reserve.” The popular Op. 81A Sonata “Lebewohl” was to have been a memento of the
composer’s emotions when his pupil and loyal friend, Archduke Rudolphe, was forced to flee
Austria in May of 1809 as the French besieged Vienna. The sonata was completed the following
year, after the royal family was able to return. The Op. 2, No. 2 Sonata was dedicated to
Beethoven’s teacher, Josef Haydn, and was composed in 1795-96. Though it is an early work,
it is hardly an immature one, bearing many of the developmental procedures that distinguished
Beethoven’s art from that of his contemporaries. Garrick Ohlsson’s readings are full of the
virtuosity and passion that have marked his live performances of these works. This release
coincides with the pianist's Complete Beethoven Sonata cycles at the Tanglewood and Ravinia
Festivals this summer. Garrick Ohlsson is widely regarded as one of the great virtuosi
currently performing on the international concert stage. With an active repertoire of more
than 80 concertos, a full schedule of solo recitals and chamber music engagements, Mr.
Ohlsson's brilliant music making has graced the world's concert halls ever since he won the
1970 Chopin International Piano Competition.
These Garrick Ohlsson CDs are also available on Bridge:
Music of Charles Wuorinen; BRIDGE 9008
Bach: Goldberg Variations; Handel: Suite No. 2; BRIDGE 9193
Vol. 1: Op. 7, Op. 78, Op. 101 (BRIDGE 9198)
Vol. 2: Op. 2, No. 2, Op. 81A, Op. 111 (BRIDGE 9201)
Vol. 3: Op. 2, No. 3, Op. 14, No. 1, Op. 14, No. 2, Op. 79 (BRIDGE 9207)
Vol. 4: Op. 26, Op. 28, Op. 90 (BRIDGE 9249)
Vol. 5: Op. 13, Op. 27, No. 2, Op. 53 (BRIDGE 9250)
Vol. 6: Op. 106, Op. 31, No. 1 (BRIDGE 9262)
Vol. 7: Op. 22, Op. 27, No. 1, Op. 110 (BRIDGE 9265) |
