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"It's a remarkable achievement... He plays these seminal works with pristine technique, infectious energy and fascinating attention to detail." —Anthony Tommasini, New York Times
"This is the best recording of the 32 Beethoven piano sonatas I've ever heard, but let's not stop there; I can't think of any performance or recording of any of these 32 sonatas that I prefer to Goodyear's interpretation. If you already own a recording of all 32 and don't have room for another, consider selling it and buying this one. If you have room for another, buy this one. If you don't have one already, buy this one. This may be the only recording I never get rid of." - Andrew Anderson, Theater Jones
"Goodyear is a master pianist... Each sonata exists in its own world and each is approached as its own entity. Never was there a feeling of sameness about the playing, and never did I feel that the artist was giving less than his best… Stewart Goodyear may come closest yet in performing these sonatas the way I believe the master himself might have done them... this entire set [is] among the foremost to be had... I’ll go with Goodyear as first choice." — Becker, American Record Guide
"…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. An outstanding release, highly recommended." — Jed Distler, ClassicsToday reviewing the late sonatas included in this box set.
"He's got blistering technique along with soulful insight and makes this music sound as though you're hearing it for the first time. This is essential listening for anyone looking to discover Beethoven all over again." — Denise Ball, CBC Music
"Goodyear articulates every note, carefully shapes every phrase, pushes the dynamics to the boundaries of pianistic good taste and then adds the finishing touch of underlining interesting dialogue and counterpoint inside the music.The result is a depiction of Beethoven’s ideas so vivid that it compels attention. And because each piece benefits from exactly the same aesthetic filter, the stylistic progression of the composer’s work is also thrown into high relief." - John Terauds, on Stewart Goodyear's one-day performance of the complete sonatas in Toronto in June 2012
"He clearly understands these pieces both intellectually and viscerally, and he has the technique to do what he wants, not to mention amazing powers of sustained attention...Perhaps the highest praise is that Goodyear made Beethoven’s many aspects so tangible. The standing ovation at the end was entirely deserved." - Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News (Review of the Sonatathon, March 2015)
Following the critically praised release of the 2-CD sets of the late and then the middle Beethoven piano sonatas, Stewart Goodyear recorded the rest of the 32 sonatas, and the complete set is available as a 10-CD box set.
Read Stewart Goodyear's notes on the Beethoven sonatas.
Catalog: MAR 513 - 10 CDs
Available on Amazon
Track Listing
CD 1
Sonata No. 1, in F minor, Op. 2 No. 1 (1795)
Sonata No. 2, in A, Op. 2 No. 2 (1795)
Sonata No. 3, in C, Op. 2 No. 3 (1795)
Total playing time: 64:26
CD 2
Sonata No. 5, in C minor, Op. 10 No. 1 (1796/98)
Sonata No. 7, in D, Op. 10 No. 3 (1796/98)
Total playing time: 55:17
CD 3
Sonata No. 4, in E flat, Op. 7 (1796/97)
Sonata No. 9, in E, Op. 14 No. 1 (1798/99)
Sonata No. 8, in C minor, Op. 13, (‘Pathétique’) (1798/99)
Total playing time: 59:56
CD 4
Sonata No. 10, in G, Op. 14 No. 2 (1798/99)
Sonata No. 11, in B flat, Op. 22 (1799/1800)
Sonata No. 12, in A flat, Op. 26 (1800/1801)
Total playing time: 57:06
CD 5
Sonata No. 13 in E-fl at major, Op. 27 No. 1
“Quasi una fantasia” (1800/1801)
Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27 No 2 “Moonlight” (1801/1802)
(Listen)
Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 “Pastorale” (1801)
Total playing time: 51:47
CD 6
Sonata No. 16 in G major, Op. 31 No. 1 (1801/1802)
Sonata No. 17 in D minor, Op. 31, No. 2 “Tempest” (1801/1802)
Sonata No. 18 in in E-fl at major, Op. 31, No. 3 (1802)
Total playing time: 64:41
CD 7
Sonata No. 21, in C, Op. 53 (‘Waldstein’) (1803/4)
Sonata No. 22, in F, Op. 54 (1804)
Sonata No. 23, in F minor, Op. 57 (‘Appassionata’) (1804/5)
Total playing time: 57:42
CD 8
Sonata No. 19, in G minor, Op. 49 No. 1 (1795/8)
Sonata No. 20, in G, Op. 49 No. 2 (1795/6)
Sonata No. 24, in F sharp, Op. 78 (1809)
Sonata No. 25, in G, Op. 79 (1809)
Sonata No. 26, in E flat, Op. 81a (Les adieux) (1809-10)
Sonata No. 27, in E minor, Op. 90 (1814)
Total playing time: 63:00
CD 9
Sonata No. 28 in A major, Op. 101 (1816)
Sonata No. 29 in B flat major, Op. 106 "Hammerklavier" (1817/1818)
Total playing time: 57:11
CD 10
Sonata No. 30 in E major, Op. 109 (1820)
Sonata No. 31 in A flat major, Op.110 (1820)
Sonata No. 32 in C minor, Op. 111 (1821/1822)
Total playing time: 62:24
Other recordings featuring Stewart Goodyear:
Beethoven: Favorite Piano Sonatas (MAR 523).
This 2-CD set of sonatas from the box set includes:
Pathétique, Moonlight, Appassionata, Les adieux, Tempest, and Hammerklavier.
Also available:
Beethoven: Diabelli Variations (MAR 455)
This is a brilliant exploration of 33 Variations on a Waltz by Anton Diabelli, Op. 120.
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