Review: Hamelin's Exultant Hammerklavier Sonata

[@episodesglow]

I saw Hamelin play Ives Concord Sonata and it was jaw dropping, narry a wrong note and played with so effortlessly. Can't wait to hear this!

[@Stevie-Steele]

Hamelin aficionados will remember that there was a private video of him performing the Hammerklavier in the 90s. He has clearly lived with this music a LONG time and much like his Schubert B flat - only recently in his older age finally feels ready to record these works. He was an absolute monster in the 90s - devouring all of those Alkan, Medtner, Godowsky etc. pieces that gave him his "SuperVirtuoso" reputation - but he was also performing a LOT of standard repertoire too. The fact he took time to record the Schubert and Beethoven is a testament to his respect for the music - and these discs took decades of maturation to achieve an interpretation that he felt truly warranted recording.

[@yovow7839]

Is there a link to the recording or is it possible to buy somewhere? I had a look online and couldn't find anything from then, I'd definitely like to see an older performance too having listened to this!

[@BurnedOutRunnerJP]

You’re so right: I also thought of Hamelin as being a bit cold, but it was just me not knowing the repertoire at hand. I know this repertoire reasonably well and Hamelin’s performance is terrific! I’m also guilty of having unreasonable interpretive expectations on Hamelin because I know technique is not an issue for him. Time to go back to his discography to discover what I’ve been missing out on.

[@Erik-e7v]

Hamelin is an incredible artist. Listen to his C.P.E Bach another great recording.

[@SpinifexV]

Only listened to it once thus far, but what struck me is how beautiful the Adagio was.

[@michelangelomulieri5134]

I recently listened to his schumann waldszenen and was completely overwhelmed…maybe the most immaginative pianist out there

[@DeflatingAtheism]

I only have a Pollini recording of the Hammerklavier, so I feel like I’m missing out on the innichkeit. I have a fever, and the only prescription is more innichkeit!

[@Florestan_]

Whats your thoughts about Heidsiecks Hammerklavier interpretation?

[@davidaltschuler9687]

Heidsieck doesn't get nearly enough attention. Glad you asked about him. He's also got some Japanese CDs that are consistently excellent.

[@HoraceInExile]

Very much looking forward to diving into this later today or over the weekend. Of course I admire Kempff (mono and stereo) and Solomon from back in the day, but I do enjoy hearing great artists undertake these works in modern sound. My current favorite in that regard would be Igor Levit, recorded and released back in 2013. I expect to add this disc to the list as well.

[@petervonberg2711]

Just listened. Fabulous. Maybe just a trifle too cool for me.