Search - Barenboim on Beethoven - The Complete Piano Sonatas Live from Berlin on DVD

Outstanding ! One of a kind ! Simply out of this world !

Ariel | Buenos Aires, Argentina | 04/08/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is truly unbelievable what Daniel Barenboim did in the lapse of three weeks in these 8 concerts given in Berlin in 2005, what a precious gift to be able to watch these superb performances of the complete Beethoven 32 Piano Sonatas in wonderful sound and image and a really beautiful camera work, it takes more than eleven hours to play them all, Daniel Barenboim is an extraordinary musical genius, not to mention the superb quality of his playing and the fact that he didn't even read a single note.

I really didn't know Daniel Barenboim is such a fantastic pianist, his playing in this set is simply unsurpassable, he shows a deep feeling and connection with this music, his understanding of the music and the piano in particular is totally amazing and that is completely reflected in the unique way he plays, he is never boring, his interpretations are so vivid, each phrase played with such care and passion, his musicality and expressiveness are outstanding, and his technic is absolutely of the highest level, truly astonishing, it was like the piano was actually singing all the time.

This whole set is a magnificent masterclass by Daniel Barenboim, truly in the same league with the greatest masters of the piano ever.

The format of the film is widescreen and for the audio we have the option of Dolby Digital 5.0 Surround for optimal sound.

So if you love the piano and feel passion for it do not miss these magnificent, spellbinding, breathtaking and electrifying performances beautifully captured on film."

GET IT!

J. Anderson | Monterey, CA USA | 03/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"THIS is what I'm talkin about! A fantastic collection with more magnificent playing from Barenboim. The chap's hitting his stride! Having just watched the excellent 2disc '50 Years on Stage', I went looking for more. This is a superb film (6 discs) and Barenboim's Beethoven is wise and abundant - and the film's not just music. Conversation, breezy cutaways, but always returning to the reason for the season, which is Barenboim's musical maturity and his seeming emergence as a revered elder. In the Master Class segments, Barenboim even manages to get Lang Lang to LISTEN more! Young musicians have a great deal to learn from the maestro in this phase of his musical life: learning to lean on music, to trust it, to set aside ego inside one's work, and how to listen as a musician. These pure qualities this pianist possesses in spades. Absolute recommendation. How many times can you hear these sonatas played with this kind of beautiful authority? Dont even think twice. Worth twice the price."

In one word: Awesome!

Denis | Portland, OR | 04/13/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If any contemporary pianist can be said to "own" the Beethoven piano sonatas, it is Daniel Barenboim. This is his third traversal of the complete sonatas, and by any standard, this latest is his greatest effort - bringing the distillation of a lifetime of living with this music that he has been playing since he was eight years old. In the end, one comes away from these concerts with a renewed appreciation for the range, creativity, genius and sheer daring of Beethoven as a composer.



The sonatas are presented in a series of eight concerts, often with selections from each of Beethoven's early, middle and late years. For example, the first concert presents three sontatas - numbers 1, 18 and 29 (the Hammerklavier). In addition, there are two bonus disks with Barenboim presenting a series of 55-minute master classes with six talented young pianists, each of whom plays a movement from one of the Beethoven sonatas and then Barenboim offers his observations and suggestions, often illustrating his point by playing on his own piano. He comments on a wide range of topics - the sonata at hand, music in general, piano playing and its special demands, life in general - replete with occasional anecdotes and stories. He takes questions from the audience at the end of each session.



For anyone who loves great piano playing, this set is a must.

"

Essential!

Alexander Felides | New Hampshire, USA | 04/23/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Here is a set that is, and will be for future generations, priceless. If it cost twice as much it would still be worth it, and a great deal.



The complete traversal (in recital) of the Beethoven 32 has been done a number of times since Sir Charles Hallé first accomplished the mammoth task in 1861, but never before has it been caught on film.



Maestro Barenboim is completely up to the task. Having played many of the Sonatas for more than fifty years one is not surprised at his great insights and seriousness, but almost shockingly (when one thinks of how much time he spends with his "non-pianistic" activities) he is also still up to all the considerable technical and endurance demands.



The recitals are filled to the brim with moments of insight, beauty, profundity, joy, power and greatness that are too numerous to mention. Even the occasional interpretive choice that I find puzzling (the decidedly not "Allegro molto e vivace" from Sonata no.13 jumps to mind) does nothing to diminish any of the concerts, no one will ever be able to play all 32 in a way that pleases everyone, it would be folly to even attempt to do so. Instead Barenboim does exactly what he should (unsurprisingly); he plays with great knowledge and understanding, leaving nothing to chance. It would be impossible for me to recommend this any more highly to anyone interested in the Piano, Beethoven or Music."