BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonatas; Choral Fantasy - Richter-Haaser; Vienna Philharmonic, Karl Bohm (2 CDs)

Born in 1912 in Dresden and taught there both by Hans Schneider and in the famous class of Robert Teichmüller, around the age of 30 Hans Richter-Haaser moved to Detmold. At first he took over the artistic direction of the city orchestra. But by 1947 he had already been entrusted with a piano masterclass. This must be seen as a substantial foundation for the rank and renown of the Detmold Music Academy which in recent years has become a sort of forge for pianists. His recordings are, sadly, few and far between. He recorded Beethoven sonatas for both Philips and EMI. Issued several years ago on its ‘The Early Years’ imprint, these Beethoven recordings from the 1950s are long out of print and a much sought-after collector’s item. The sonatas are coupled here with Richter-Haaser as soloist in the ‘Choral Fantasy‘, with Karl Böhm conducting.

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN
CD 1
Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13 ‘Pathétique’
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 27 No. 2 ‘Moonlight’
Piano Sonata No. 21 in C major, Op. 53 ‘Waldstein’

CD 2
Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57 ‘Appassionata’
Piano Sonata No. 24 in F sharp major, Op. 78 ‘Für Therese’
Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major, Op. 1014
Fantasia in C minor for piano, chorus and orchestra, Op. 80

Hans Richter-Haaser, piano
Teresa Stitch-Randall, Judith Hellwig, sopranos
Hilde Rössel-Majdan, contralto
Anton Dermota, Erich Majkut, tenors
Paul Schöffler, bass
Wiener Staatsopernchor
Wiener Symphoniker
Karl Böhm