András Schiff: Beethoven Piano Sonatas Vol. 2

András Schiff's beautifully phrased live Beethoven piano sonata recordings.

Composer: Beethoven

Repertoire: Piano Sontatas No.5 in C minor, Op.10/1, No.6 in F, Op.10/2, No.7 in D, Op.10/3, Piano Sonata No.8 in C minor, Op.13 ‘Pathétique’
Artists: András Schiff (piano)
Rating: 4/5

Genre: Instrumental

Label: ECM New Series 476 3100

This is the second volume of Schiff’s projected cycle of all 32 sonatas to be recorded live (although there’s no evidence of an audience on this disc) in the Tonhalle, Zurich, over the coming year or so. His accounts are as penetrating and detailed as Volume 1, with marvellous articulation and clarity of texture; the F major Sonata (No.6) is properly light and witty, the ‘Pathéthique’ beautifully phrased and considered. The piano tone is bright - for my taste, just a little too bright – and everything about the disc is admirable. But why, then, does Schiff not touch or excite me in the slightest degree by his playing here?