Beethoven: Piano Sonatas

Only recently did I discover the remastered Living Stereo SACD series of recordings and have been very pleasantly surprised by the outstanding audio quality. When SACD first came out Sony produced a series of two channel SACD recordings as reissues of older analog recordings with sometimes marginal results. I was concerned that these might fall into that same category and bought my first one with some degree of apprehension.I was truly delighted to discover a competently recorded performance enhanced by three-channel SACD sound. Whereas a number of the Living Stereo SACD series are three-channel some are also two-channel. My compliments to the recording engineers at RCA for their vision and professionalism!These performances were recorded in 1962 and 1963 using an Ampex 300-3 tape recorder using 1/2 inch tape running at either 15 ips or 30 ips (ips stands for inches per second). The piano sound on this SACD three-channel recording is some of the best recorded solo piano sound I have ever heard.My surround sound system was designed primarily for music reproduction and I have an extensive collection of SACD, and DVD-A recordings as well as a number of the newer recordings featuring DTS-HD Master Audio. By comparison with all of those the piano recordings contained on this disc compares favorably and is, in some respects, superior as played on my system.I read the review concerning tape hiss after I had listened to the SACD and could not recall noticing the tape hiss on my system. I went back and played the beginning of the disc and noticed if I placed my ear close to the speaker I could make out some hiss. It was not so loud as to interfere with my enjoyment of the music.I have been a fan of Arthur Rubinstein for many years and have a number of his recordings but I didn't have any of him performing Beethoven Sonatas. This disc shows off Rubinstein's masterful technique with power and drama. The dynamic range of the SACD format can be challenging to a system and the listener's ear. Setting the volume high enough to produce the softer sections at a realistic level can produce sound at much higher levels during the really loud sections.As a matter of curiosity I set the level at the beginning of the Moonlight Sonata at a level that sounded convincingly as if a 9 foot concert grand were placed at the front of the room. It didn't take too much imagination to visualize the piano there in the room with me.As the recording progressed I realized that the level of the music was getting pretty loud so I set up a sound pressure level meter and started checking the peak sound levels as the louder sections were being played. I was interested in noting the meter was frequently registering levels of 84 to 88 decibels and would on occasion pass the 90 decibel level at the loudest parts.I have read that the sound pressure level at a concert grand can reach 105 decibel peaks at the piano bench when the piano is played with great force.Please forgive my enthusiasm for the technical part of music reproduction; the results have been a surround music system which has provided many hours of enjoyment for me.The quality of the reproduction you will get in your home will be in direct proportion to the quality of your system, especially the ability of your system to reproduce multi-channel music. The newer uncompressed audio formats promise a bright future for music lovers; as frequently happens the audio engineers are going through a learning curve and the early results are a mixed bag. I'm hopeful that we'll soon be seeing these newer formats engineered and recorded up to the potential they offer.

This title sounds as a silly political statement. But actually I am talking about this SACD sound quality.I have two CD of this Rubinstein’s performance of Beethoven’s piano sonatas. One is the earliest RCA version, and the other is the vol 56 of the Rubinstein collection which has a better sound quality. Rubinstein’s performance is so remarkable and outstanding, with love, passion, and powerful strength. However, they both suffer the typical CD character of low sampling rates that results in a digital sound which lacks sweetness and warmth. About ten years ago l bought the first SACD (around $ 15) from the classic section of a bookstore to see any improvement of sound quality. I feel the resolution is just a little bit better, but it is still lacking the sweetness and charming. And it doesn’t demonstrate the powerful bass chords resonance that makes the Steinway grant piano great. It makes me even wonder why Rubinstein should have to stick with Steinway piano, instead of, say, Bosendorfer Imperial. I put this SACD aside for many years, and feel disappointed.Recently I read several reviews about this SACD. Some give it very good ratings, but quite a few gives a bad review, as extremely hiss, bleeding of sound, and not sounding as Steinway grand piano. It makes me very wondering, and I took it out and listened it again and again. It is not too bad (no noticeable hiss on my SACD) but, one reviewer is right, that the recorded sound doesn’t sound as from a great Steinway grand piano. I also noticed another interesting thing that the price range of this SACD can vary from $2 to $50 something, for new as well as used SACD. From my experience, I know that the sound quality of CD/SACD is better from Japan, UK, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (and of course the higher price wise); not generally from US. Few weeks ago, I saw a used one on this site which asked for only $1.83, and it is from Germany. I told myself why not try. I received it in less than two weeks, and it is well packed and as a new one. I played it. WOW. Wonderful. The bass is strong, the middle range and higher registers give the beautiful singing song. For example, the beginning few measures of the second movement of the Pathetique just singing so elegantly and beautifully, and the bass chords are fully supported. Then you know, yes, this what Beethoven’s piano sonatas supposed to be. Yes, this is what Rubinstein performance supposed to be. And, of course, this is what the great Steinway should sound. A better quality SACD will truthfully reproduce these historical recordings. It not only makes Beethoven/Rubinstein/Steinway grand piano great again, but also make our human beings great again.

This is a quality recording in my book even if you only listen to the 2-channel stereo CD portion. Of course, the full 3-channel SACD layer of this hybrid disc in "high res" DSD format takes one to another, higher level of enjoyment. This represents the essence of RCA's Living Stereo series, which were originally recorded in either 2 or 3 channels starting in 1958 and continuing through the early 1960's -- this one is from 1962 and '63. Of course, this coincided with the advent of 2-channel, stereophonic recording, which is how they were originally produced on vinyl records. The original master tapes are now being remastered for SACD multi-channel sound, with minimal "adjustments", i.e., if it is a 3-channel master tape, it stays as a 3-channel SACD recording. (Technical section and a history of early recording is included in the excellent booklet.)Here Arthur Rubenstein plays 4 Beethoven Sonatas. The music itself is just lovely. And as you listen you can not help wonder how such a recording could have been made 50 years ago! Truth be told, it was with tube electronics (!) and minimalist microphone arrangements in a realistic venue = Manhattan Center, NYC, in this case.I could go on and on, but suffice to say, that if you enjoy classical music, whether it be Beethoven (as here), Mozart, Haydn, or Bach, or just quality musical recordings of any type, you owe yourself the pleasure of latching onto any of these Living Stereo SACD releases -- even if you don't have a 5.1-channel Home Theater sound system with SACD capabilities.

The music is fantastic but unfortunately there is a very noticeable amount of background (tape) noise from the original recording. This kind of defeats the purpose of having it on a high resolution format, in my opinion.

Prodotto di eccellenti qualità audiofile e musicali. Rubinstein che suona Beethoven è una certezza e la qualità del SACD rendono incredibile l'ascolto di questo disco.

Il existe de nombreuses versions de ces sonates et vouloir les classer serait prétentieux. Je dirai seulement que je tiens Rubinstein comme l'un de ceux qui rende le mieux la luminosité et la dimension orchestrale de l'instrumentation de ces sonates pour piano.Rubinstein joue d'une manière qui parait évidente tant elle est naturelle.Je dois aussi dire qu'il est très bien servi par une prise de son chaleureuse qui parait elle aussi naturelle.Décidemment, quand il sert une bonne prise de son des années analogiques, le SACD en magnifie les qualités.

Living StereoシリーズのSACD化の音質にはいつも感心させられます。絶対的な理由は、（１）LP全盛時代に当時の最先端にあったRCAのアナログ録音技術（テープ録音）、（２）オリジナルのアナログテープのしっかりとした保管品質管理、（３）オリジナルテープからStuderのテープ再生機で取り出したアナログ信号を直接DSD変換するという最もシンプルなSACD信号作成経路（ふつうはPCM変換して音調調整してからハイレゾ音源やDSD変換をしている）、の３点です。これらの点（高品質アナログ録音音源、音源の保管状態、アナログテープからの直接DSD化）は非常に重要で、わけのわからないSACDを掴まされないように注意しましょう。一昔前に横行したデジタル録音のSACD化などは、サギにも等しいものです。さらにいえば、最近のハイレゾPCM録音のSACD化もいまいちです。ハイレゾPCMコンテンツをダウンロードなどで購入して直に再生できる環境を持っている裕福な方は別を除いては、高いハイレゾ音源や再生のための高価なネットオーディオ再生機の必要性はかなりのネックです。当然のことながらディスクも存在しないわけで、ディスクユニオンに行っても中古はありません！そのような庶民のふところ具合や音楽文化の広がりを軽視した業界の風潮の中にあって、Living StereoシリーズのSACD化のリーゾナブルな価格での提供は、音楽を愛する企業がねじ曲がった業界に投じた”良心”の一石なのです。本盤のレビューに戻ります。このルビンシュタインのベートーベンソナタ集も大変柔らかくみずみずしい音色で大満足でした。私としてはベートーベン３大ソナタといえば何といってもゼルキンの演奏CD（CBS)がお気に入りなのですが、音質まで含めると本CDの方が上かもしれません。ここまで音質が良いと、打音の倍音の余韻の重なりが紡ぎだす美しさがよく聞き取れるので、感情移入もしやすいのかもしれません。久しぶりに聴き入ってしまいました。

Ottima incisione ed escuzione. È' certamente una delle migliori da me ascoltata. La consiglio a quanti amano un suono dolce e privo di asperità

全体に肩の力の抜けた自然体な演奏…円熟を過ぎ、枯れた味わい深さ、渋味があります。ちょっと聴くと余りの普遍的なな解釈と、起伏を抑えた演奏に、「何だ、普通じゃん」と思うかも知れないが、聴き進むうちに、ジワッと滲み出る風格に気付くんですね…その瞬間からルービンシュタインの世界に引き込まれてゆくんです。《月光》はワタシ的には、これが決定盤かも…渋いダンディズム…甘さを抑えたロマンが薫り立つような演奏、これから較べるとアラウは甘いし、バックハウスは野暮ったい(笑)バレンボイムは青臭い。ケンプに近いけど、よりダンディです。《告別》は余り悲しみの表情を大袈裟にしない…どちらかと言えば、苦み走ったという感じ…深いコクとまろやかさが魅力的です。《悲愴》は、過ぎ去りし青春時代を懐かしむような風情…枯れてもなお、燃え尽きる事の無い情熱に自嘲するかのようなシニカルな表情も見せます。《熱情》は、後期ソナタに、まだ深く入って行けない私には、凄い解り易く良い演奏です。ひょっとすると、ベートーベン的でないかも知れないが(ショパンのようでもある)溢れ出る濃厚なロマンに打たれます。ベートーベンでも後期作品は、こういうロマン派的な解釈も悪くないと思いました…ルービンシュタインだからこそですが。やっぱり…この人のベートーベンは全集で聴きたかった…叶わぬ夢ですが。