It is absolutely charming and instantly memorable. The movements are more successfully balanced than in the First Sonata and the fugal finale comes off very well here, with Roberts achieving the right blend of momentum and clarity.įor me, the Second Piano Sonata is the real gem of the three. The Third Sonata is the most classical of the three and follows the standard four movement pattern. Roberts does his best here to hold the movement together and his interpretation is impressive. The finale is the weakest part of the First Sonata it is simply far too long and becomes wearisome towards the end. The imposing second movement of the First Sonata has plenty of gravitas in this performance. Bernard Roberts offers playing of real power and authority. The Second Sonata is less ambitious, yet perhaps ultimately more persuasive than its weightier brothers. The First and Third require a virtuoso technique and are written in a grand manner that seems to hark back to both Bach and Beethoven.
The three Sonatas were written in quick succession in 1936 and are, as a consequence, stylistically consistent. The principal rivals in Ludus Tonalis are John McCabe (Hyperion) and Boris Berezovsky (Warner Classics).
Glenn Gould recorded the Piano Sonatas in the 1960s more recently, the Estonian pianist Kalle Randalu presented them on MDG. This demanding but rewarding music is still unknown to the majority of music-lovers.
This generously filled two disc set contains Hindemith's most mature works for one and two pianos.
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