Claudio Arrau - The Unreleased Beethoven Recital 1959 [CD]

Please Note Not All Our New Items Are Shrink Wrapped.All items shipped within 3 working days of payment.

The Lost Recordings has rediscovered the master tapes of this double recital in the archives of Berlin Radio. The label thus offers, as a world premiere, this Beethoven recital by the great Claudio Arrau, recorded on March 12, 1959 at the Hochschule fur Muzik in Berlin, totally unpublished, delivering a breath-taking reading of the Farewells, the Appassionata and the Sonata Op. 110. An exceptional document. When Claudio Arrau took the stage of the prestigious Hochschule fur Musik in Berlin on 12 March 1959, he was, at 56, an artist at the very peak of his fame and the pinnacle of his pianistic and intellectual powers. Rarely in pieces other than these solo works for piano, where sentimental confession, mystical revery and the constant concern for form are inextricably entwined, did Beethoven so clearly create a dramatic sound setting to depict common mortals grappling with their confused feelings, doubts and existential contemplation. rr

Arrau's creative genius transcended the contingencies and boundaries of a random condition to attain sublime, monumental heights. Arrau's recital, imbued with grace, exhibited the perfectly mastered phrasing and weighty sound u2013 driven by an implacable force u2013 that conveys to our innermost selves the metaphysical dimension of these poetic, musical and transparently sincere meditations. Its three movements bear unequivocal names: Das Lebewohl (Farewell), Adagio u2013 Allegro in D flat major; Abwesenheit (The Absence), Andante espressivo in C minor; Das Wiedersehen (The Return), Vivacissimamente in E Flat major. It refers directly to the brief exile of Archduke Rudolph of Austria in 1809, when he had to flee after the Battle of Wagram. It gives a close rendition of Beethoven's changing moods in reaction to the situation of his student and patron, from his despondency when the leader departed to the joy of their reunion. Arrau delves into the emotional intricacies of the work like a sound designer, clearly accentuating the development and variations to give a narrative dimension to the composition. The slow movement is masterful in its profundity, ineffably melancholic in the variations of shade and subdued lighting. Without any superfluous sentiment, Arrau looks into the depths of the forsaken human soul. He achieves a restrained approach that still overwhelms us with emotion.

Sonata No. 26 in E-flat Major u201cLes Adieuxu201d, Op. 81a - I. Das Lebewohl (Adagio u2013 Allegro)

Sonata No. 26 in E-flat Major u201cLes Adieuxu201d, Op. 81a - II. Abwesenheit (Andante espressivo)

Sonata No. 26 in E-flat Major u201cLes Adieuxu201d, Op. 81a - III. Das Wiedersehen (Vivacissimamente)

Sonata No. 31 in A-flat Major, Op. 110 - I. Moderato cantabile, molto espressivo

Sonata No. 31 in A-flat Major, Op. 110 - II. Scherzo: Allegro molto

Sonata No. 31 in A-flat Major, Op. 110 - III. Adagio ma non troppo - Fuga: Allegro ma non troppo

Sonata No. 23 in F minor 'Appassionata', Op. 57 - I. Allegro assai

Sonata No. 23 in F minor 'Appassionata', Op. 57 - II. Andante con moto

Sonata No. 23 in F minor 'Appassionata', Op. 57 - III. Allegro ma non troppo - Presto

• Genre: Classical
• Product Type: AUDIO CD
• Barcode: 190759820322

Dispatch Information: Dispatch times vary by item and items are only dispatched on UK working days – not weekends or UK Bank Holidays. Items marked "Dispatched Same Day" will be dispatched on the day of purchase if bought before 2pm GMT. "Dispatched Same Day" items bought after 2pm GMT or on a non-working day will be dispatched on the next working day. We aim to dispatch all other items within 3-5 working days.

Delivery Information: We aim to deliver your order as quickly and efficiently as possible. All UK orders are dispatched using Royal Mail 48 Tracked service and the standard delivery times are 2-3 business days. Please note that delivery times for overseas orders will vary depending on your location and the shipping option you choose during checkout.

Shipping Costs: We offer free delivery on all UK orders and free worldwide delivery on orders over £15.

Tracking Your Order: All UK orders are tracked. Once your order is dispatched, you will receive a tracking number via email. You can use this tracking number to monitor the progress of your delivery on the Royal Mail Track and Trace website.

Returns and Exchanges: We want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase. If for any reason you are not happy with your order, you may return it within 28 days of the item being dispatched for a refund or exchange. Please note the following guidelines:
- Items must be returned in their original condition and packaging – items that have been opened or had shrink wrap removed are not eligible for return or refund.
- Make sure to include your order number in the returned package.

How to Initiate a Return: To initiate a return or exchange, please contact our customer service team. The team is available to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have about the process.

Refund Processing: Refunds will be processed as soon as we receive your item back into our warehouse. Replacements are subject to availability and if a replacement is not available, a refund will be issued.

If you have any further questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to contact our customer service team or check out our FAQ’s. We're here to help ensure your shopping experience is enjoyable and hassle-free. Thank you for choosing Chalkys!