2008 Grammy Winner, "Best Solo Recording"
Bridge Records is pleased to be releasing Volume 3 of Garrick Ohlsson's Beethoven Sonata cycle, as part of its new Garrick Ohlsson Edition. Beethoven Sonatas, Vol. 3 includes Ohlsson's readings of four sonatas. Beethoven astonished the music world with his early set of three piano sonatas, Op. 2. Though clearly early Beethoven, the C major sonata is a thoroughly mature masterpiece. The relatively short, and highly lyrical Op. 14, No. 1 sonata is an adventurous piece, a work with more than a touch of latent Romanticism. And its companion, Op. 14, No. 2 explores many new avenues of rhythmic development. The Op. 79 Sonata belongs to the group of sonatas where Beethoven was composing with extreme concision. Garrick Ohlsson's readings of these four sonatas are full of the virtuosity and passion that have marked his recent live performances of these works. This release follows the pianist's Complete Beethoven Sonata cycles at the Tanglewood and Ravinia Festivals this summer, and will precede his Beethoven performances throughout the USA during the 2006-2007 season. Garrick Ohlsson is widely regarded as one of the great virtuosi currently performing on the international concert stage. With an active repertoire of more than 80 concertos, a full schedule of solo recitals and chamber music engagements, Mr. Ohlsson's brilliant music making has graced the world's concert halls ever since he won the 1970 Chopin International Piano Competition.
Reviews:
“As a pupil and disciple of Claudio Arrau. Ohlsson cultivates a richness of tone which some listeners might find too Brahmsian. But besides the depth, Ohlsson plays crisply, and is never in danger of giving this music airs that it doesn’t have.” - BBC Music Magazine
“The god of inspiration sprints hand in hand with Garrick Ohlsson as the pianist nears completion of his Beethoven sonata cycle...Ohlsson plays Op. 14 No. 1 beautifully, bringing a refreshingly terse quality to the Allegretto by underlining its sudden dynamic shifts.” - ClassicsToday.com
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Sonata No. 3 in C Major, Op. 2, No. 3
Sonata No. 9 in E Major, Op. 14, No. 1
Sonata No. 10 in G Major, Op. 14, No. 2
Sonata No. 25 in G Major, Op. 79
Garrick Ohlsson, piano
BRIDGE 9207
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