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Beethoven Unbound

Ludwig van Beethoven

Beethoven Unbound

Llŷr Williams

Label: Signum Classics
Format: CD
Barcode: 0635212052723

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Catalog number: SIGCD 527
Releasedate: 06-04-18

- New box set recording of Beethoven's complete sonatas alongside other solo piano works, taken from live recordings from the Wigmore Hall.

A stunning 12-CD box set, Beethoven Unbound, will be released to mark the completion of Llŷr Williams’ monumental Beethoven cycle at Wigmore Hall and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD) – recorded live at Wigmore Hall over three years and nine recitals.

As well as the complete piano sonatas, the box set also features other works including the 32 Variations in C minor, Eroica Variations, Opus 126 Bagatelles and the Diabelli Variations, a total of almost 14 hours of music. This is Williams’ fourth album on Signum Classics. Beethoven Unbound is presented in a beautiful hinged box with extensive notes by Misha Donat, and personal notes by Williams and the album’s award-winning producer Judith Sherman, with whom Williams worked previously on his Wagner Without Words release.

Williams comments on the box set and the partnership with Sherman: “Rather than adopt the chronological approach, I have arranged the works roughly in the order that I played them in the concerts, and each CD has been devised as a mini-recital programme. This has sometimes allowed for creativity in putting the pieces together. Working with Judy on this project has been a joy and a privilege. It was sad to reach the end – but at least we still have a Schubert cycle to look forward to!”

Williams has developed a reputation as one of the finest exponents of Beethoven, since giving his first Beethoven cycle in Perth in 2010, and winning a South Bank Sky Arts Award in 2012 for an epic two-week marathon in Edinburgh. The Guardian said of one of his RWCMD cycle recitals in 2016: “Williams’ already considerable stature as a Beethoven interpreter seems to grow with every performance” (Rian Evans, 25 March 2016) and The Independent commented on a Wigmore recital: “Williams treats it [the keyboard] as an extension of his body, and with the three Opus 10 sonatas plus the Diabelli Variations he took us onto an altogether higher plane” (Michael Church, 12 October 2016). 2017 saw the conclusion not only of the solo series at Wigmore Hall and the RWCMD, but also of a complete concerto cycle with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

Piano Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op.2 No. 1

Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op. 57, 'Appassionata'

I. Allegro assai

Fantasia in G Minor, Op. 77

Piano Sonata No. 11 in B-Flat Major, Op. 22

I. Allegro con brio

15 Variations and a Fugue on an Original Theme in E-Flat Major, Op. 35, 'Eroica Variations'

Piano Sonata No. 8 in C Minor, Op. 13, 'Pathetique'

I. Grave - Allegro di molto e con brio

Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-Flat Major, Op. 106, 'Hammerklavier'

Piano Sonata No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 10, No. 1

I. Molto allegro e con brio

Piano Sonata No. 19 in G Minor, Op. 49, No. 1

Piano Sonata No. 4 in E-Flat Major, Op. 7

I. Molto allegro

Piano Sonata No. 30 in E Major, Op. 109

I. Vivace ma non troppo

Piano Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op.2 No. 1

Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op. 57, 'Appassionata'

II. Andante con moto

Piano Sonata No. 13 in E-Flat Major, Op. 27, No. 1, 'Quasi una fantasia'

I. Andante. Allegro

Piano Sonata No. 11 in B-Flat Major, Op. 22

II. Adagio con molto espressione

Piano Sonata No. 12 in A-Flat Major, Op. 26, 'Funeral March'

I. Andante con variazioni

Piano Sonata No. 8 in C Minor, Op. 13, 'Pathetique'

II. Adagio cantabile

Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-Flat Major, Op. 106, 'Hammerklavier'

II. Scherzo. Assai vivace - Presto - Tempo I

Piano Sonata No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 10, No. 1

II. Adagio molto

Piano Sonata No. 19 in G Minor, Op. 49, No. 1

II. Rondo. Allegro

Piano Sonata No. 4 in E-Flat Major, Op. 7

II. Largo con gran espressione

Piano Sonata No. 30 in E Major, Op. 109

II. Prestissimo

Piano Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op.2 No. 1

III. Menuetto, Allegretto

Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op. 57, 'Appassionata'

III. Allegro ma non troppo - Presto

Piano Sonata No. 13 in E-Flat Major, Op. 27, No. 1, 'Quasi una fantasia'

II. Allegro molto e vivace

Piano Sonata No. 11 in B-Flat Major, Op. 22

Piano Sonata No. 12 in A-Flat Major, Op. 26, 'Funeral March'

II. Scherzo. Molto allegro

Piano Sonata No. 8 in C Minor, Op. 13, 'Pathetique'

III. Rondo. Allegro

Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-Flat Major, Op. 106, 'Hammerklavier'

III. Adagio sostenuto, appassionato e con molto sentimento

Piano Sonata No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 10, No. 1

III. Finale. Prestissimo

33 Variations in C Major on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120, 'Diabelli Variations'

Piano Sonata No. 4 in E-Flat Major, Op. 7

Piano Sonata No. 30 in E Major, Op. 109

III. Gesangvoll, mit innigster Empfindung. Andante molto cantabile ed espressivo

Piano Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op.2 No. 1

IV. Prestissimo

6 Variations on an Original Theme in F Major, Op. 34

Piano Sonata No. 13 in E-Flat Major, Op. 27, No. 1, 'Quasi una fantasia'

III. Adagio con espressione

Piano Sonata No. 11 in B-Flat Major, Op. 22

IV. Rondo. Allegretto

Piano Sonata No. 12 in A-Flat Major, Op. 26, 'Funeral March'

III. Marcia funebre sulla morte d'un eroe

7 Bagatelles, Op. 33

No. 1 in E-flat Major. Andante grazioso, quasi allegretto

Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-Flat Major, Op. 106, 'Hammerklavier'

IV. IV. Largo - Allegro risoluto

Piano Sonata No. 6 in F Major, Op. 10, No. 2

33 Variations in C Major on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120, 'Diabelli Variations'

Variation 1. Alla Marcia, maestoso

Piano Sonata No. 4 in E-Flat Major, Op. 7

IV. Rondo. Poco allegretto

Piano Sonata No. 31 in A-Flat Major, Op. 110

I. Moderato cantabile molto espressivo

Piano Sonata No. 2 in A Major, Op. 2 No. 2

I. Allegro vivace

Piano Sonata No. 9 in E Major, Op. 14, No. 1

Piano Sonata No. 13 in E-Flat Major, Op. 27, No. 1, 'Quasi una fantasia'

IV. Allegro vivace

Piano Sonata No. 22 in F Major, Op. 54

I. In tempo d'un minuetto

Piano Sonata No. 12 in A-Flat Major, Op. 26, 'Funeral March'

7 Bagatelles, Op. 33

No. 2 in C Major. Scherzo allegro

6 Bagatelles, Op. 126

No. 1 in G Major. Andante con moto

Piano Sonata No. 6 in F Major, Op. 10, No. 2

33 Variations in C Major on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120, 'Diabelli Variations'

Variation 2. Poco allegro

Piano Sonata No. 24 in F-Sharp Major, Op. 78

I. Adagio cantabile - Allegro ma non troppo

Piano Sonata No. 31 in A-Flat Major, Op. 110

II. Allegro molto

Piano Sonata No. 2 in A Major, Op. 2 No. 2

II. Largo appassionato

Piano Sonata No. 9 in E Major, Op. 14, No. 1

Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 27, No. 2, 'Moonlight'

I. Adagio sostenuto

Piano Sonata No. 22 in F Major, Op. 54

II. Allegretto - Più allegro

Piano Sonata No. 26 in E-Flat Major, Op. 81a, 'Les adieux'

I. Das Lebewohl. Adagio - Allegro

7 Bagatelles, Op. 33

No. 3 in F Major. Allegretto

6 Bagatelles, Op. 126

No. 2 in G Minor. Allegro

Piano Sonata No. 6 in F Major, Op. 10, No. 2

III. Finale. Presto

33 Variations in C Major on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120, 'Diabelli Variations'

Variation 3. L'istesso tempo

Piano Sonata No. 24 in F-Sharp Major, Op. 78

II. Allegro vivace

Piano Sonata No. 31 in A-Flat Major, Op. 110

III. Adagio ma non troppo - Fuga. Allegro ma non troppo

Piano Sonata No. 2 in A Major, Op. 2 No. 2

III. Scherzo. Allegretto

Piano Sonata No. 9 in E Major, Op. 14, No. 1

III. Rondo. Allegro comodo

Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 27, No. 2, 'Moonlight'

Piano Sonata No. 21 in C Major, Op. 53, 'Waldstein'

I. Allegro con brio

Piano Sonata No. 26 in E-Flat Major, Op. 81a, 'Les adieux'

II. Abwesenheit. Andante espressivo

7 Bagatelles, Op. 33

No. 4 in A Major. Andante

6 Bagatelles, Op. 126

No. 3 in E-Flat Major. Andante

Piano Sonata No. 7 in D Major, Op. 10, No. 3

33 Variations in C Major on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120, 'Diabelli Variations'

Variation 4. Un poco più vivace

Piano Sonata No. 15 in D Major, Op. 28, 'Pastoral'

Piano Sonata No. 32 in C Minor, Op. 111

I. Maestoso - Allegro con brio ed appassionato

Piano Sonata No. 2 in A Major, Op. 2 No. 2

IV. Rondo. Grazioso

Piano Sonata No. 10 in G Major, Op. 14, No. 2

Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 27, No. 2, 'Moonlight'

III. Presto agitato

Piano Sonata No. 21 in C Major, Op. 53, 'Waldstein'

II. Introduzione. Adagio molto

Piano Sonata No. 26 in E-Flat Major, Op. 81a, 'Les adieux'

III. Das Wiedersehn. Vivacissimamente

7 Bagatelles, Op. 33

No. 5 in C Major. Allegro, ma non troppo

6 Bagatelles, Op. 126

No. 4 in B Minor. Presto

Piano Sonata No. 7 in D Major, Op. 10, No. 3

II. Largo e mesto

33 Variations in C Major on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120, 'Diabelli Variations'

Variation 5. Allegro vivace

Piano Sonata No. 15 in D Major, Op. 28, 'Pastoral'

Piano Sonata No. 32 in C Minor, Op. 111

II. Arietta. Adagio molto semplice e cantabile

Piano Sonata No. 3 in C Major, Op. 2 No. 3

I. Allegro con brio

Piano Sonata No. 10 in G Major, Op. 14, No. 2

Piano Sonata No. 28 in A Major, Op. 101

I. Etwas lebhaft und mit der innigsten Empfindung

Piano Sonata No. 21 in C Major, Op. 53, 'Waldstein'

III. Rondo. Allegretto moderato - Prestissimo

7 Bagatelles, Op. 33

No. 6 in D Major. Allegretto quasi Andante

6 Bagatelles, Op. 126

No. 5 in G Major. Quasi allegretto

Piano Sonata No. 7 in D Major, Op. 10, No. 3

III. Menuetto - Trio - Menuetto. Allegro

33 Variations in C Major on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120, 'Diabelli Variations'

Variation 6. Allegro ma non troppo e serioso

Piano Sonata No. 15 in D Major, Op. 28, 'Pastoral'

III. Scherzo. Allegro vivace

Piano Sonata No. 3 in C Major, Op. 2 No. 3

Piano Sonata No. 10 in G Major, Op. 14, No. 2

III. Scherzo. Allegro assai

Piano Sonata No. 28 in A Major, Op. 101

II. Lebhaft. Marschmassig

Andante in F Major, WoO. 57, 'Andante favori'

7 Bagatelles, Op. 33

No. 7 in A-flat Major. Presto

6 Bagatelles, Op. 126

No. 6 in E-Flat Major. Presto - Andante amabile e con moto - Tempo I

Piano Sonata No. 7 in D Major, Op. 10, No. 3

IV. Rondo. Allegro

33 Variations in C Major on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120, 'Diabelli Variations'

Variation 7. Un poco più allegro

Piano Sonata No. 15 in D Major, Op. 28, 'Pastoral'

IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non troppo

Piano Sonata No. 3 in C Major, Op. 2 No. 3

III. Scherzo. Allegro

Piano Sonata No. 28 in A Major, Op. 101

III. Langsam und sehnsuchtsvoll ? Zeitmaß des ersten Stu?ckes ? Geschwinde, doch nicht zu sehr, und mit Entschlossenheit

Piano Sonata No. 27 in E Minor, Op. 90

I. Mit lebhaftigkeit und durchaus mit Empfindung und Ausdruck

32 Variations in C Minor, WoO 80

33 Variations in C Major on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120, 'Diabelli Variations'

Variation 8. Poco vivace

Piano Sonata No. 3 in C Major, Op. 2 No. 3

IV. Allegro assai

Bagatelle in A Minor, WoO 59, 'Fur Elise'

Piano Sonata No. 27 in E Minor, Op. 90

II. Nicht zu geschwind und sehr singbar vorgetragen

33 Variations in C Major on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120, 'Diabelli Variations'

Variation 9. Allegro pesante e risoluto

Piano Sonata No. 25 in G Major, Op. 79

I. Presto alla tedesca

33 Variations in C Major on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120, 'Diabelli Variations'

Variation 10. Presto

Piano Sonata No. 25 in G Major, Op. 79

33 Variations in C Major on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120, 'Diabelli Variations'

Variation 11. Allegretto

Piano Sonata No. 25 in G Major, Op. 79

33 Variations in C Major on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120, 'Diabelli Variations'

Variation 12. Un poco più mosso

33 Variations in C Major on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120, 'Diabelli Variations'

Variation 13. Vivace

33 Variations in C Major on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120, 'Diabelli Variations'

Variation 14. Grave e maestoso

33 Variations in C Major on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120, 'Diabelli Variations'

Variation 15. Presto scherzando

33 Variations in C Major on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120, 'Diabelli Variations'

Variation 16. Allegro

33 Variations in C Major on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120, 'Diabelli Variations'

Variation 17. [Allegro]

33 Variations in C Major on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120, 'Diabelli Variations'

Variation 18. Poco moderato

33 Variations in C Major on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120, 'Diabelli Variations'

Variation 19. Presto

33 Variations in C Major on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120, 'Diabelli Variations'

Variation 20. Andante

33 Variations in C Major on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120, 'Diabelli Variations'

Variation 21. Allegro con brio

33 Variations in C Major on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120, 'Diabelli Variations'

Variation 22. Allegro molto

33 Variations in C Major on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120, 'Diabelli Variations'

Variation 23. Allegro assai

33 Variations in C Major on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120, 'Diabelli Variations'

Variation 24. Fughetta - Andante

33 Variations in C Major on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120, 'Diabelli Variations'

Variation 25. Allegro

33 Variations in C Major on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120, 'Diabelli Variations'

Variation 26. [Piacevole]

33 Variations in C Major on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120, 'Diabelli Variations'

Variation 27. Vivace

33 Variations in C Major on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120, 'Diabelli Variations'

Variation 28. Allegro

33 Variations in C Major on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120, 'Diabelli Variations'

Variation 29. Adagio ma non troppo

33 Variations in C Major on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120, 'Diabelli Variations'

Variation 30. Andante, sempre cantabile

33 Variations in C Major on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120, 'Diabelli Variations'

Variation 31. Largo, molto espressivo

Piano Sonata No. 16 in G Major, Op. 31, No. 1

I. Allegro vivace

33 Variations in C Major on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120, 'Diabelli Variations'

Variation 32. Fuga - Allegro

Piano Sonata No. 16 in G Major, Op. 31, No. 1

II. Adagio grazioso

33 Variations in C Major on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120, 'Diabelli Variations'

Variation 33. Tempo di Menuetto, moderato

Piano Sonata No. 16 in G Major, Op. 31, No. 1

III. Rondo. Allegretto

Piano Sonata No. 20 in G Major, Op. 49, No. 2

I. Allegro ma non troppo

Piano Sonata No. 17 in D Minor, Op. 31, No. 2, 'The Tempest'

I. Largo - Allegro

Piano Sonata No. 20 in G Major, Op. 49, No. 2

II. Tempo di menuetto

Piano Sonata No. 17 in D Minor, Op. 31, No. 2, 'The Tempest'

Piano Sonata No. 17 in D Minor, Op. 31, No. 2, 'The Tempest'

III. Allegretto

Piano Sonata No. 18 in E-Flat Major, Op. 31, No. 3, 'La Chasse'

Piano Sonata No. 18 in E-Flat Major, Op. 31, No. 3, 'La Chasse'

II. Scherzo. Allegretto vivace

Piano Sonata No. 18 in E-Flat Major, Op. 31, No. 3, 'La Chasse'

III. Menuetto. Moderato e grazioso - Trio

Piano Sonata No. 18 in E-Flat Major, Op. 31, No. 3, 'La Chasse'

IV. Presto con fuoco