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Classics Today:
"Stewart Goodyear has been amassing quite a bit of attention lately, and deservedly so, judging from these vital, communicative, and intelligently stylish late-Beethoven performances. Swift tempos, forward sweep, linear clarity, imaginative yet never mannered inflections, and genuine joy in executing the composer's volatile dynamic markings all characterize Goodyear's interpretations. In addition, a genuine and sincere spirit informs Goodyear's poetic booklet notes. An outstanding release, highly recommended."
Gramophone:
"Stewart Goodyear's stylish, vitally communicative way with late Beethoven... manages to leap through the loudspeakers and grab the listener by the scruff. His playing abounds in linear awareness, spontaneous inflections of phrase that never sound the least bit mannered, and a kind of kinetic response to the composer's combative, hair-trigger dynamic contrasts... a riveting release on every level."
AllMusic Guide:
"Goodyear's performance of this most difficult of all of Beethoven's piano works (The "Hammerklavier") is spectacular. He builds up tremendous momentum in the opening movement and finale, and there's an X factor here that convinces you Beethoven would have wanted the effect of technical mastery of very thorny material that emerges here."
"Listening to the music of Beethoven is one of my only remaining memories of childhood. Although I could not articulate all of the emotions I felt listening to this music, they hit me with such a force that I was completely transfixed. From this music, I recognized early on that the human spirit and condition is vast and complex, yet clear, direct, and indestructible. As I reached adulthood, my understanding of this music grew deeper and more intense.
"Recording Beethoven's monumental final piano sonatas was not a choice for me; I was compelled. Since I first learned them when I was 16, these sonatas will not leave me alone. Life has given me very personal interpretations of these works, and I humbly share them with the listener." - Stewart Goodyear
Listen: Stewart Goodyear talks about this CD, and in a very personal way, about performing all 32 sonatas in 5 days at the Ottawa Chamber Music Festival. And what is the correct tempo for the Hammerklavier? (An interview with Alexa Petrenko on Classical 96, September 29, 2010. About 8 minutes)
Catalog: MAR 507
Available on Amazon
Track Listing
CD 1
Sonata # 28 in A major, Opus 101
1. I Allegretto, ma non troppo
2. II Vivace all marcia
3. III Adagio, ma non troppo, con affetto
4. IV Allegro
Sonata # 29 in B-flat major, Opus 106
(Hammerklavier)
5. I Allegro (Listen)
6. II Scherzo: Assai vivace
7. III Adagio sostenuto
8. IV Introduzione - Fuga: Allegro risoluto
Total playing time: 57:11
CD 2
Sonata # 30 in E major, Opus 109
1. I Vivace, ma non troppo
2. II Prestissimo
3. III Gesangvoll, mit innigster Empfindung
Sonata # 31 in A-flat major, Opus 110
4. I Moderato cantabile molto espressivo
5. II Allegro molto
6. III Adagio ma non troppo
Fuga: Allegro ma non troppo
L’Istesso tempo di arioso
L’Istesso tempo della Fuga
Sonata # 32 in C minor, Opus 111
7. I Maestoso: Allegro con brio ed appassionato
8. II Arietta: Adagio molto semplice e cantabile
Total playing time: 62:24
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