BEETHOVEN
Sonatas Op. 10/2; 13; 27/2 & 53
Valentina Kamenikova
(piano)
Panton 81 9026-2 111
[72 mins]
I was pleased to spot this one in the Supraphon/Panton release list, because
a 1972 recording by this pianist of two Mozart sonatas is one of my most
treasured LPs. It fulfilled my expectations completely, with a marvellously
alert and knowing interpretation of one of Beethoven's funniest works. There
is real humour here, enough to bring more than a mere smile, in his early
F major sonata with its rhythmic dislocations in the first movement, F minor/Db
major Allegretto and bustling finale. Kamenikova (1930-89) misses
nothing and her perfectly schooled fingers are always ready at the service
of an original musical intelligence. Moscow trained, is noteworthy that she
became a revered teacher in Prague, where her pupils included Ivan Klansky,
the delightfully individual pianist of the
Guaneri
Prague Trio (S&H review, May 2000) favourite regular
London visitors of mine.
These recordings date from 1984 & 1989 & are just a little variable
tonally. The staccato chords of the F major sonata have an odd sound as they
decay, but you quickly get quite used to it. There's nothing wrong with the
others, which might have been recorded later. These are immediately arresting
and gripping performances of the Pathetique, Moonlight &
Waldstein sonatas which bear comparison with anyone's; nothing hackneyed
or unconsidered here. I have not enjoyed a CD of Beethoven sonatas so much
since Richard Goode's complete set
ElektraNonesuch
7559-79328-2. At Supraphon's reissue price, no need to hesitate;
you will not be disappointed. Valentina Kamenikova recorded more than
50 key items of piano repertoire for Supraphon between 1963 & 1988 -
I look forward to hearing many more of them.
Peter Grahame Woolf
