Horowitz Plays Beethoven Sonatas
Vladimir Horowitz's coiled virtuosity and volatile temperament suit the heroic side of Beethoven's middle-period output. The legendary pianist recorded theMoonlightandWaldsteinSonatas in the comfort of his Manhattan living room. His incisive power in the finales and artful voicing in theMoonlight's famous Adagio easily transcend the dry and constricted mono engineering. TheAppasionata, on the other hand, was taped at Carnegie Hall in stereo. A tinge of caution hovers over the outer movements, in comparison with the pianist's equally febrile but longer-limbed1972 remakeavailable on Sony. Perhaps Beethoven was ultimately an acquired rather than a natural affinity for Horowitz, yet dozens of so-called Beethoven specialists would give their eyeteeth for one speck of Horowitz's individuality.--Jed Distler