A Beethoven Recital
Recorded in 1976, Ronald Farren-Price’s Beethoven recital mixes rarely heard piano pieces with works long loved by students, from the Ten Variations on Salieri’s La stessa, la stessissima to Für Elise.
The magnificent Polonaise in C, Op. 89 was written in 1814 for the Congress of Vienna and dedicated to the Empress of Russia. It is a brilliant, exacting showpiece in which Beethoven packs many keyboard difficulties into a single work.
Also seldom heard is the Allegretto in C minor, perhaps once considered for the third movement of the Op. 10 No. 1 Sonata. It has immediate strength and purpose. The two beautiful Rondos of Op. 51 and the clean-cut, concise Ten Variations on Salieri’s La stessa, la stessissima are welcome inclusions.
That Farren-Price also plays the early Sonatine in F and Für Elise is a tribute to Beethoven’s genius in the simplest forms. He approaches these pieces with much affection.
Reviews
A most enjoyable evening was the result of this music historical program presenting Mr Farren-Price as a sensitive artist and a virtuoso of top rank. He appeared most convincing in the smaller works where he demonstrated a perfect balance between the sound and expression of the music. In the more important pieces he had a tendency to concentrate on the nuances of the tone and dynamics at the cost of dramatic excitement. However, definitely a pianist of great distinction.
Artists
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827) was a German composer and pianist whose music stands at the centre of the Western classical tradition, bridging the Classical and Romantic eras.
Ronald Farren-Price
Ronald Farren-Price is an Australian concert pianist of rare artistry, sensitivity and virtuosity. Clarity of expression and firmness of touch are the hallmarks of his style, which brings bold nobility to each performance.
Tracks
- Ten Variations on “La stessa, la stessissima” from the opera Falstaff by Salieri in B flat, WoO 73 Ludwig van Beethoven 11:01
- Rondo in G, Op. 51 No. 2 Ludwig van Beethoven 10:43
- Rondo in C major, Op. 51 No. 1 Ludwig van Beethoven 6:02
- Albumblatt in A minor “Für Elise”, WoO 59 Ludwig van Beethoven 3:30
- Polonaise in C, Op. 89 Ludwig van Beethoven 5:55
- Sonatine in F Ludwig van Beethoven 5:11
- Allegretto in C minor, WoO 53 Ludwig van Beethoven 4:31
Performers
Contributors
Liner notes
David Barmby
Australian countertenor David Barmby is heard on recordings of Mozart’s bawdy canons and songs and of Australian choral works that speak to nature and the environment.
Where to listen
A Beethoven Recital is available for streaming through Spotify and Apple Music. It can also be purchased through the iTunes Music Store.
A Beethoven Recital is available as a CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer online ordering.
Product details
- Catalogue number
- MD 3050
- List price
- $20.00 AUD
- Total playing time
- 46 minutes 53 seconds
- Producer
- Maria Vandamme
- Recording Engineer
- Fred Robilliard
George Hunt
Haime Gonshor
Leo Fowler - Venue
- ABC Studios, Melbourne
- Credit
- David Barmby
- Release date
- 1986
- Musical work
copyright - © 1977 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
- Sound recording
copyright - ℗ 1986 Move Records
- Category
- Classical
- Genres
- Romantic & Impressionist, Classical Era
- Barcode
- EAN 9314574305029
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