Beethoven, john oconor piano sonatas, volume i discogs. In my opinion john o conner plays the beethoven sonatas the best. For as john oconor points out, winning an international competition merely opens the door to a career. However, haydns sonatas can be just as hard to bring off, and anyone who is impressed with o conor s beethoven disc would do well to consider this a fitting companion and give it. Jan 17, 2005 from now on, we will all turn to lockwoods beethoven. The churchs wet acoustics had a tendency to blur some of the key. On this release, john o conor features what he does best, beethoven. Ludwig van beethoven 16 december 1770 26 march 1827 was a composer of the transitional period between the late classical and early romantic eras. In this ludwig van beethoven biography, we instructively publish the development and the personalities of the latter bertolini andreas assistant to dr. The music and the life for insight and instruction. O conor is known by some as a pianist who is carrying on the legacy of wilhelm kampff, having recorded the complete beethoven sonatas and concertos. Beethovens 32 piano sonatas paperback stewart gordon. Malfatti, he became beethoven s friend in 1806 and his medical advisor between 1808 and 1816, when he quarreled with the composer at his lodgings over a difference of opinion on a professional. This 1985 recording of irish pianist john o conor performing three of beethoven s most popular sonatas was made in london using sony equipment was a typical early telarc production.
Iconic irish piano legend john oconor celebrates his 70th birthday playing beethoven source. Complete pianoforte sonatas by h craxton and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Irish pianist john oconor on careers and competitions the star. In the 1975 interview, oconor speaks of the importance of having won, only two years.
It is up to the winners to step through and take the remaining steps themselves. This page is currently inactive and is retained for historical reference. O conor s performance had the inwardness to play the. Beethoven is widely regarded as one of the greatest masters of musical construction, sometimes sketching the architecture of a movement before he had decided upon the. Today i would like to introduce you to a composer who is very new to me though he is anything but new. John oconor plays beethovens sonata pathetique, ii movement.
The music and the life, was part of my daughters wish list and i ordered it for her birthday. Then, using your own words, write a story about him on pages and 14. Beethoven john oconor beethoven piano sonatasmoonlightpathetique. This 1985 recording of irish pianist john oconor performing three of beethovens most popular sonatas was made in london using sony equipment was a typical early telarc production. This is how it should be played, not like a speed competition. Beethovens story is almost too good to be true, and almost too bad to be television. O conor has made more than 20 recordings for the telarc label including the complete beethoven piano sonatas, and the complete beethoven bagatelles, which latter was cited by the new york times as the best recording of these works. John o conor is a highly accomplished and respected pianist, one who has studied beethoven extensively. Born in dublin, oconor attended belvedere college in that city. Notwithstanding the standard greats of the piano repertoire, oconor has. On this release, john oconor features what he does best, beethoven.
For an unforgettable lesson in how to articulate piano lines, accents, crescendos, chords, legato, staccatoyou name itlisten to john o conor s rendition of the first movement of sonata no. Irish pianist john oconor on careers and competitions. John o conor s complete set of beethoven piano sonatas is a monumental achievement, not only for the sheer volume of music recorded, but for its coherent interpretive scope and its successful illumination of developmental aspects of beethoven s everevolving style. Stream adfree with amazon music unlimited on mobile, desktop, and tablet. Aug 03, 2014 beethovens story is almost too good to be true, and almost too bad to be television. His traversal of beethovens final sonatas is practically free of the hairpins and rouge that denote style. Shop for vinyl, cds and more from john o conor at the discogs marketplace. Lewis lockwood speaks in his preface of writing on beethovens works at a highly accessible descriptive level. Andreas staier harmonia mundi, two cds the three op 31 sonatas, all written in 1802, sound lean and coherent on an 1810 piano, if occasionally things feel a little too wellmannered.
Malfatti, he became beethovens friend in 1806 and his medical advisor between 1808 and 1816, when he quarreled with the composer at his lodgings over a difference of opinion on a professional. Presents each sonata in easyreference format, highlighting important conceptual, structural, harmonic, technical, and interpretive characteristics of each. Try disabling any ad blockers and refreshing this page. John oconor, returning from his recordings of mozart concertos and beethoven sonatas to less demanding fare, could hardly offer a more urbane alternative.
However, i kept waiting for the familiar emotions to wash over me, and they just didnt happen. Introducing beethoven introducing composers author. Beethovens sonatas for the pianoforte by agnes zimmermann and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Get the complete set of all 32 beethoven piano sonatas on 9 cds from telarc and john o conor. Maynard solomon this is truly the beethoven biography for the intelligent reader. An extraordinary historical odyssey and a scientific mystery solved by. Beethoven sonatas for pianoforte by craxton abebooks. The spine was solid and the cover was in good condition. The complete piano sonatas box set john oconor on allmusic 1994. Beethoven complete piano sonatas oconnor cd80400 ch. Although theres been a misunderstanding about the nature of hannahs relationship with beethoven, george nevertheless learns of the high regard in which the composer holds hershe inspired leonore, the heroine of his only opera, fidelio. John oconors complete set of beethoven piano sonatas is a monumental achievement, not only for the sheer volume of music recorded, but for its coherent interpretive scope and its successful illumination of developmental aspects of beethovens everevolving style. The complete piano sonatas box set john o conor on allmusic 1994. Oconor is known by some as a pianist who is carrying on the legacy of wilhelm kampff, having recorded the complete beethoven sonatas and concertos.
He also made a special study of beethoven with the legendary german pianist wilhelm. Apr 19, 2015 oconor kicked off his recital with a sweetly voiced, if methodical, reading of schuberts sonata in bflat, d. Here, newman takes the entire beethoven oeuvre for piano and, by going directly to any primary source available, attempts to direct todays pianist toward beethoven s intentions. The ways in which a pianist can affect a composition are many, including choice of piano, tempo, ornamentation, articulation, and style of pedaling. Oconors performance had the inwardness to play the.
Jan 21, 2017 iconic irish piano legend john oconor celebrates his 70th birthday playing beethoven source. His technical performance of the second movement of pathetique was excellent, of course. O conor, john, beethoven, ludwig van piano sonatas 2. Murray perahia plays the mozart piano concertos the best jorges bolet plays the liszts trancendental etudes the best. Oconor, john, beethoven, ludwig van piano sonatas 2. City of dark magic by magnus flyte, beethovens hair. The allegretto is gentle but makes its mark this is a movement that often passes for nothing. John oconor born 18 january 1947 is an irish pianist and pedagogue, and former director of. Beethoven s 32 piano sonatas a handbook for performers stewart gordon. Irish pianist john oconor continues to show hes a master. This brilliant portrayal weaves beethovens musical and biographical stories into their historical and artistic contexts. Includes elucidation of emotional and spiritual values, as they have been perceived by musicians through the ages.
What technique and feeling the piano sound is exquisite. Though beethoven himself didnt call this sonata the moonlight, o conor s calm yet mobile opening movement, with the light hovering over every note, gives credence to the title. Beethovens 32 piano sonatas a handbook for performers stewart gordon. This exceptional cd was released on the same day as o conor s recording of beethoven s diabelli variations, one of the most intensely difficult works for piano. Oconor kicked off his recital with a sweetly voiced, if methodical, reading of schuberts sonata in bflat, d.
Upon thorough examination, i could find no pencil marks or ink blotches, no dog eared pages, no smudges and no tears. All of john oconors renditions of the beethoven piano sonatas are of the highest quality and all that i have purchased have provided a wonderful listening. Although it was used, the condition was remarkable. The short book 3, set in the united states after beethovens death, feels mostly unnecessary, but. Either the page is no longer relevant or consensus on its purpose has become unclear. Usually ships in 24 hours, unless stock becomes depleted. The tone, sustain, and reverb are as rich as the telarc name i have owned this cd for over 20 years. Lewis lockwood sketches the turbulent personal, historical, political, and cultural frameworks in which beethoven worked and. Official website of critically acclaimed irish concert pianist john oconor. Oconor is slightly more interventionist than usual in the first movement, holding back at a few points where beethoven has specifically indicated a tempo. Shop for vinyl, cds and more from john oconor at the discogs marketplace.
His cycle of the beethoven piano sonatas proves him as a musical potentate. John oconor is not one to get in the way of the music. This artist has the kind of flawless touch that makes an audience gasp washington post. Printing instructions when printing from adobe acrobat reader. This results in a relaxed reading of some very pithy music which yields more to a concentrated approach. John o conor my favorite classical by vitaliy katsenelson. In this unique film, recorded in positano, on italys rugged amalfi coast, internationally acclaimed concert pianist john o conor tries to pass on the passion and power of beethoven s music to the. He has performed the complete sonatas of beethoven in a cycle of 8 recitals in one season on a number of occasions. Mozart and beethoven heiligenstadt testament death of ludwig van beethoven ludwig van beethoven s religious views music beethoven s musical style beethoven and c minor catalogues of beethoven compositions beethoven gesamtausgabe in music 33 variations beethoven quartet society beethoven s last night beethoven s ninth symphony cdrom a fifth of. For an unforgettable lesson in how to articulate piano lines, accents, crescendos, chords, legato, staccatoyou name itlisten to john oconors rendition of the first movement of sonata no. There were admittedly times when i longed for something more vivid and articulate, yet for the most part o conor s suave command and unruffled expertise win the day. Irish pianist john oconor continues to show hes a master of. To revive discussion, seek broader input via a forum such as the village pump.
Later he was awarded an austrian government scholarship that enabled him to study in vienna with the renowned pedagogue dieter weber. Oct 24, 2014 for as john oconor points out, winning an international competition merely opens the door to a career. John o conors complete set of beethoven piano sonatas is a monumental achievement. An authoritative work offering a fresh look at beethovens life, career, and milieu. Get the complete set of all 29 beethoven piano sonatas on 9 cds from telarc and john o coner.
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