Wilhelm Backhaus ∙ Volume 2

Still and all, Wilhelm Backhaus was one of the finest pianists of the last century. This double CD is addressed two types of people – those who look for great live performances of Beethoven sonatas and those who collect CDs of Wilhelm Backhaus. These two previously unpublished recitals from Ludwigsburg (1953) and Besançon (1959) are a welcome addition to his studio recordings of the Beethoven sonatas. Mostly in concert, at times, did Backhaus come to life. Backhaus did not begin his career as a Beethoven specialist. He came to this composer late in life — he called it his third career. He began with Liszt, Schumann and Chopin. It was only after a lifetime with them that Backhaus felt prepared to come to grips with Beethoven. WILHELM BACKHAUS plays Beethoven, Schubert & Brahms ∙ Double CD The previously unpublished Beethoven recitals from Ludwigsburg (1953) and Besançon (1959) CD 1 1∙5∙10. Radio announcements in French by Jean Toscane 2-4. Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 6 in F Major, Op. 10, No. 2 [10:47] I. Allegro [04:27] II. Allegretto [03:31] III. Presto [02:48] 6-9. Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 7 in D Major, Op. 10, No. 3 [19:27] I. Presto [04:53] II. Largo e mesto [07:15] III. Menuetto: Allegro [02:36] IV. Rondo: Allegro [04:42] 11-13. Beethoven: Piano Sonata No.14 in C Sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 2 [15:04] I. Adagio sostenuto [05:13] II. Allegretto [02:20] III. Presto agitato [07:30] Recorded ∙ 15 September 1959 ∙ Besançon ∙ Théâtre Municipal ∙ Radiodiffusion-Télévision Francaise ∙ Live Recording 14-17. Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 3 in C Major, Op. 2, No. 3 [21:42] I. Allegro con brio [07:25] II. Adagio [06:14] III. Scherzo: Allegro [02:50] IV. Allegro assai [05:11] Recorded ∙ 12 December 1953 ∙ Ludwigsburg ∙ Schloss Ordenssaal ∙ Süddeutscher Rundfunk ∙ Live Recording CD 2 1-3. Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 21 in C Major, Op. 53 [21:15] I. Allegro con brio [08:50] II. Introduzione: Adagio molto (attacca) [03:17] III. Rondo. Allegretto moderato – Prestissimo [09:08] 4-7. Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-flat Major, Op. 106 [37:24] I. Allegro [11:49] II. Scherzo: Assai vivace [02:36] III. Adagio sostenuto [15:24] IV. Introduzione: Largo – Fuga: Allegro risoluto [10:27] 8. Schubert: Impromptu No. 3 in B-flat Major, Op. 142, D. 935 [08:54] Recorded ∙ 12 December 1953 ∙ Ludwigsburg ∙ Schloss Ordenssaal ∙ Süddeutscher Rundfunk ∙ Live Recording Bonus: 9. Brahms: Waltz No. 1 in B major – Tempo giusto, from 16 Waltzes, Op. 39 [00:48] 10. Brahms: Waltz No. 2 in E major. Attacca, from 16 Waltzes, Op. 39 [01:10] 11. Brahms: Waltz No. 6 in C-sharp major. Vivace, from 16 Waltzes, Op. 39 [00:59] Recorded ∙ 02 December 1959 ∙ Stuttgart ∙ Liederhalle ∙ Süddeutscher Rundfunk ∙ Live Recording