*** - Good 

Recording of the Month

"...There’s a clean directness about Bavouzet’s playing which matches the youthful fire of these sonatas and presents them as if freshly minted. In sum these three discs bring to our ears a significant achievement."

“Chandos’s recordings, made between 2008 and 2011 in Suffolk’s Potton Hall, Dunwich, are exemplary, capturing Bavouzet’s Steinway Model D in rock-solid, full-bodied sound, and the booklet essay by William Drabkin, furnished with a number of musical examples, is well written and highly informative. When it comes to Beethoven, Bavouzet is the equivalent of a strict Constitutional constructionist. His readings will withstand the test of time.” 

*****
 

"Recommended"

"...Bavouzet’s playing shines a light on the prodigious confidence and brilliance of these early (1793-98) works, all composed when Beethoven was in his early-twenties. It will be fascinating to hear what Bavouzet does with the middle-period ‘Waldstein’ and ‘Appassionata’ as well as the far-seeing late sonatas."

 

“...gorgeously played...”

 

‘International Piano Choice’

“Jean-Efflam Bavouzet is without doubt one of today’s most intelligent and questing pianists he seems to excel in all that he touches. The freshness of his Haydn means that his affinity with early Beethoven should come as know surprise This is a significant, fascinating issue.” 

“...his [Bavouzet] playing is immaculate” 

Performance ****          Recording *****

"... Bavouzet’s performances are distinguished and virtuosic Chandos has provided him with luscious recorded sound, which allows for planty of air round the notes, so all told this is a most desirable set overall." 

“Throughout Bavouzet conjures a Haydn-like clarity, and has none of the swagger of a pianist liek Barenboim. Once you get used to his restrained scale, the underlying power and musicality shine out.” 

“...On the basis of this first instalment, he [Bavouzet] has much to say about this music that is relevant and necessary: one can only look forward to the continuation of his cycle.” 

“Bavouzet’s fingers, precise in touch, sometimes witty and mischievous, make Haydn’s heritage clearly audible. But Beethoven’s marks are ever present in dramatic interjections, lurching dynamics, cliff-hanging leaps, and all sorts of rhythmic and structural games. Bavouzet’s playfulness is especially valuable Bavouzet equally connects with the music’s soul sculpting the Pathétique’s grave opening chords to ensure they cast a long shadow, and memorably guiding the slow movement of op 10 no 3 into the heart of darkness. He also offers a novelty: a reconstruction of the four-movement version of op 10 no 1, fascinating to hear ”   **** 

“... Bavouzet’s Beethoven – here embracing the first 10 sonatas, including the ‘Grande Sonate’ and ‘Pathétique’, all written before 1800 – is consistently engaging in its imaginative scope, stylistic freedom and technical fearlessness”   ***** 

Editor’s Choice

“Jean-Efflam Bavouzet enters a very crowded field with this new sonata disc. And what an entrance! Bavouzet’s drive, rhythmic attack and wonderful, unsentimental approach to the slow movements make this disc of early sonatas so fascinating. As with his Debussy recordings, he is a stern observer of the printed score. Here is a Beethoven with all the youthful vigour and verve one could wish for!!   *****