This CD presents Beethoven's immortal "Appassionata" sonata in three separate performances on different instruments, all played by virtuoso keyboardist, Lambert Orkis. Beethoven himself regarded the f minor sonata to be his finest sonata at the time that he wrote it (1805), and Carl Czerny, a student of Beethoven's points out that whatever considerable powers a pianist needed for Beethoven's sonatas prior to this composition, this work required the doubling of those abilities. When Beethoven composed the "Appassionata", a consensus regarding how a piano should sound had not been achieved. Indeed, the instrument was in the throes of a rapid evolutionary development. The three instruments used in this recording are based upon Viennese piano building designs and represent three snapshots in time of Viennese piano evolution. Lambert Orkis has received international recognition as chamber musician, interpreter of contemporary music, and performer on period instruments. He has appeared world-wide in recital with violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter since 1988 and with cellist Mstislav Rostropovich since 1983. A multi-Grammy Award nominee, his large discography comprises works of the Classical, Romantic and Modern eras. Mr. Orkis can be heard on the following Bridge CDs: George Crumb: A Little Suite for Christmas; Richard Wernick: Sonata "Reflections of a Dark Light" (BRIDGE 9003); Richard Wernick: Piano Concerto (BRIDGE 9082); Richard Wernick: Piano Sonata No. 2; James Primosch: Sonata-Fantasia (BRIDGE 9131).
Reviews:
“This fascinating CD lets us compare performances of the same Beethoven sonata on three different pianos. Orkis is a fabulous pianist, and he is a master of all three. Regardless of the instrument, he plays the sonata with straightfoward authority and without interpretive exaggerations.” - Classical Net
“No doubt period piano connoisseurs will anticipate a bountiful taste test of timbre and resonance between the disparate Wolf and Regier fortepianos and the modern Bösendorfer Imperial Concert Grand. A fascinating disc.” - ClassicsToday.com
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Performed on a fortepiano by Thomas and Barbara Wolf
after instruments by Nannette Streicher (ca. 1814-1820)
Performed on a Bösendorfer Imperial Concert Grand
Performed on a fortepiano by R.J. Regier
after Viennese instruments (ca. 1830 )
Lambert Orkis, piano
BRIDGE 9169