Sonata number 18

[Phil Leeds]

Anyone else find piano sonata number 18 fantastic?

On compilation CDs it hardly ever seems to be picked by performers, but I just love the quirkiness of the start, the slow movement is beautiful in its simplicity and the last movement is breath taking. All in my humble opinion of course

[DavidO]

I like No. 18, yes. Of the three sonatas in Op. 31, it's my least favorite; but it's interesting & inventive & spry. My sort of internal complaint about so many recordings is that I don't think of the Minuet as a slow movement -- I prefer the movement to be kept nimbler than it typically is (the way Claude Frank plays it, for example, is closer to the way I hear it). When you said "slow movement" in your post, I was confused for a moment -- because I'm not use to conceptualizing the Minuet in that way.

So any particular performers or recordings of Op. 31, No. 3 you really like?

[Chris]

Yes, I love this piece. I recently heard Andras Schiff play it live, and that was a real treat. I particularly like the last movement.

[Peter]

In order of preference of the three opus 31 sonatas I put no.2, no.3 then no.1 which I like least. The opening of the Eb sonata is so original and puts the sonata as a whole on a special level. Incidentally Saint-Saens used the trio from the minuet as a set of variations for two pianos. Alfred Brendel is certainly my choice of 'modern' performers of the piece.

[Phil Leeds]

I take your point about a minuet being kept nimble, does the marking "moderato e grazioso" imply that it should be slightly slower than a minuet though I wonder.
As for recordings, I only have Bernard Roberts recording. I bought these complete B piano sonatos many years ago, mainly because it was cheap, but have since read that they are held in some esteem. I am a big fan of Wilhelm Kempff's recordings and have, on vinyl, his recordings of the usual 3 (i.e. Appassionata, Pathetique and Moonlight) and a few others but not this sonata. Perhaps I should buy Kempff's complete set, but last time I looked they were quite expensive.

[Joy]

I take your point about a minuet being kept nimble, does the marking "moderato e grazioso" imply that it should be slightly slower than a minuet though I wonder.
As for recordings, I only have Bernard Roberts recording. I bought these complete B piano sonatos many years ago, mainly because it was cheap, but have since read that they are held in some esteem. I am a big fan of Wilhelm Kempff's recordings and have, on vinyl, his recordings of the usual 3 (i.e. Appassionata, Pathetique and Moonlight) and a few others but not this sonata. Perhaps I should buy Kempff's complete set, but last time I looked they were quite expensive.

I believe this one was nicknamed The Hunt. I enjoy it's spirited finale. I also have Bernard Roberts recordings and enjoy them.

[Michael]

I first heard this glorious work on a DGG vinyl record in the 1970s played by Kempff and this version has remained the definitive one for me, even over Brendel (whose recording is spoiled by a studio rumble which I find hard to tune out). I also like Ashkenazy's Decca recording.

[PDG]

...even over Brendel (whose recording is spoiled by a studio rumble which I find hard to tune out).

Maybe he was playing on an empty stomach?...

[Sorrano]

Maybe he was playing on an empty stomach?...

You are always thinking of food aren't you--or making someone else always think of food.

[PDG]

You are always thinking of food aren't you--or making someone else always think of food.

No, but my doctor has always advised me never to eat on an empty stomach....

Gastronomical PDG...

[Michael]

Maybe he was playing on an empty stomach?...

PDG, surely you know the difference between piano music and wind?

[Quijote]

PDG, surely you know the difference between piano music and wind?

Surely. But can a piano have bellows?