Product Review

The Austrian pianist Rudolf Buchbinder was invited by the Salzburg Festival to perform a pinnacle of piano literature in its entirety, a first for the festival: Beethovens magnum opus of 32 piano sonatas developed throughout his life gain depths for their reflection of his evolution as a man and musician through the years. With the sonatas Pathétique, Moonshine, Waldstein, Appassionata, Hammerklavier and the final sonata Op. 111, the cycle is an astonishing bounty of the best-known piano pieces of all time. This 2 DVD set captures the first two concerts of the memorable performance, and Buchbinders scholarship and attention which his playing is known for comes dazzlingly to the fore.