BEETHOVEN: The Last Five Piano Sonatas - Michael Houstoun
Label: Trust Records
Format: CD
Categories: Box Sets, Instrumental Music
Classical Periods: Romantic
Available: 0
Price: $27.99
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
The Last Five Piano Sonatas (1814-1822)
Michael Houstoun, piano
CD One
Sonata No. 28 in A, Op. 101
Sonata No. 29 in B flat, Op. 106 'Hammerklavier'
CD Two
Sonata No. 30 in E, Op. 109
Sonata No. 31 in A flat, Op. 110
Sonata No. 32 in C minor, Op. 111
Michael Houstoun's long association with the music of Beethoven began when, as a young child, he heard a recording of the 'Appassionata" sonata performed by Artur Rubenstein. That experience determined his course in life and the pre-eminent place Beethoven would take in his repetoire. Although he has been acclaimed for his performances of the works of a wide range of composers, both Classical and Romantic - Mozart, Liszt, Rachmaninov - it is the sonatas and concertos of Beethoven with which he is most identified.
| Track Listing | Time | MP3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CD One (68'23") | |||
| Sonata No. 28 in A, Op. 101 (21'11") | |||
| 1 | Etwas lebhaft und mit der innigsten Empfindung | 4:20 | |
| 2 | Lebhaft. Marschmassig | 5:44 | |
| 3 | Langsam und Sehnsuuchsvoll | 11:07 | |
| Sonata No. 29 in flat, Op. 106 (47'12") | |||
| 4 | Allegro | 11:56 | |
| 5 | Scherzo: Assai vivace | 2:40 | |
| 6 | Adagio sostenuto | 20:22 | |
| 7 | Introduzione, Lagro; Fuga: Allegro Risoluto | 12:14 | |
| CD Two (71'48") | |||
| Sonata No. 30 in E, Op. 109 (21'02") | |||
| 1 | Vivace ma non troppo; Adagio espressivo | 3:45 | |
| 2 | Prestissimo | 2:25 | |
| 3 | Gesang mit innigster Empfindung | 14:52 | |
| Sonata No. 31 in A flat, Op. 110 (21'01") | |||
| 4 | Moderato cantabile, molto espressivo | 6:56 | |
| 5 | Allegro molto | 2:10 | |
| 6 | Adagio ma non troppo; Aioso dolente | 4:02 | |
| 7 | Fuga: Allegro, ma non troppo | 7:53 | |
| Sonata No. 32 in C minor, Op. 111 (29'45") | |||
| 8 | Maestoso; Allegro con brio ed appassionato | 9:32 | |
| 9 | Arietta: Adagio molto emplice e cantabile | 20:13 |
Michael Houstoun was born in Timaru, New Zealand, in 1952 and showed an unusual and single-minded interest in music shortly thereafter. Studies with Sister Mary Eulalie in Timaru and Maurice Till in Christchurch and Dunedin helped propel him to success in musical examinations and competitions throughout the country. Under Till's guidance Houstoun prepared for and gained success in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in the United States in 1973 (3rd place) and the Leeds International Piano Competition in England in 1975 (4th place). In 1978 he undertook a valuable course of study with Brigitte Wild in London and in 1982 won 6th prize at the Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition in Moscow.
Since 1981 Houstoun has been resident in New Zealand, where he performs primarily and regularly. He draws from a wide-ranging solo, concerto and chamber music repertoire.
Highlights of the past 10 years include performing and recording the 32 sonatas of Beethoven; a collaboration with Tainui Stephens on a television programme about Liszt ('Icon in B minor'); and performances with conductors Eduardo Mata, Neville Marriner, Franz Paul Decker and Alexander Lazarev.