Solomon plays Beethoven Moonlight Sonata (1945 recording)

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British pianist Solomon's 1945 recording of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, the first of two interpretations he set down of the work.
Solomon produced this recording in three sessions in 1945: June 21, July 9, and August 10. In 1951, he would begin recording all of the Beethoven Sonatas onto LP - a task that would come to an end, uncompleted, when he suffered a stroke in 1956. The two Sonatas which he recorded in the 78rpm era would be re-recorded, and it was the later readings that were more regularly reissued over the years.
The grooves of the 78rpm discs in this earlier traversal of the Moonlight capture Solomon's rich singing sonority marvellously well, as does the acoustic of the studio and wonderfully calibrated Steinway No.299 at EMI's Abbey Road. Throughout this performance, one can marvel at the pianist's gorgeous tonal palette, refined dynamic layering, and magical pedalling - how skillfully he sustains an auric glow in the first movement without ever muddying the overall texture, and at an incredibly spacious tempo! Also remarkable is his crisp articulation in the second and third movements, as well as his rhythmic buoyancy.
A stunning but seldom-issued recording by one of the legendary pianists of the 20th century.

[@meredith218461]

The first mvt has such beauty and serenity. The Allegretto is perhaps a little more ebullient than we're used to nowadays, and the finale is played with a nonchalant virtuosic ease.

[@elenalivsjits347]

Thank you so much for this magic recording. 🙏

[@andycarapiet8190]

As a young boy who could barely read music, this was my introduction to being to play , at least the opening bars, of one of the greatest pieces of classical music ever written - for everyone - not just an elite few. Thank you Solomon Cutner. So sorry your career was curtailed by tragedy.

[@yogafluter]

Wow. I've always been a fan, but this is something. Thanks, Mark!

[@christopherczajasager9030]

The greatest British pianist.Period.

[@saltburner2]

One of 3 from the period: Myra Hess became a Dame, Clifford Curzon became a Knight, but Solomon had to make do with a CBE.

[@inyourfaceguitar5454]

Magnificent.

[@ryangray575]

1. Adagio sostenuto: 0:00
2. Allegretto: 7:23
3: Presto agitato: 9:13

[@coolliam422]

thanks

[@JuliaPikalova]

Magnificent. Thank you for uploading.

[@RabidCh]

Thank you. Solomon's Moonlights has always been among my favorites, though the fortes in the 3rd movement sound restrained by the medium here compared to the others.

[@ThePianoFiles]

It's unfortunately an EMI transfer - the only one I could find. The original 78s or a transfer by another label would be infinitely better.

[@saltburner2]

@@ThePianoFiles The Intense Media Solomon box of his 'complete' Beethoven recordings contained only the later version of this sonata. I couldn't find an LP re-issue of this version in Bryan Crimp's discography.

[@ThePianoExperience]

Is this great recording available on CD ?

[@ThePianoFiles]

​It was only once on CD to my knowledge, in 2-CD EMI Reference set with some but not all of his Beethoven Concerto recordings (with the 78rpm set of Beethoven's 3rd, one he rerecorded in the LP era) - it was a rather unusual compilation... All of his 78rpm recordings should be reissued as a set - his playing at that time was truly astounding (very good later, of course, but special at that time)

[@michelangelomulieri5134]

@@ThePianoFiles sorry Marc, was this version reissued by testament? Or I'm wrong..? 🤔

[@ThePianoFiles]

@@michelangelomulieri5134 I don't have that set and I can't find the recording dates online. I can't see that they released the Moonlight twice - there are two versions, and generally it's been the later 1956 recording that's been reissued, not the 1945 version. I scanned all the Testament titles and I only see one Moonlight released... so it's probably the later one - unless you have the CD and can check

[@michelangelomulieri5134]

@@ThePianoFiles unfortunately I don't have the testament cd yet. It's one of my next buy. But I think you are right. Beside this, his Beethoven, I believe, is of invaluable consideration because it blends classic and romantic without compromising the coherence of the music flow. Because with Beethoven, as you well know, every bar, note, phrase cannot be followed but a a given, specific bar, note or phrase. A giant!

[@saltburner2]

@@ThePianoFiles You are right. Bryan Crimp agrees that his 1940s recordings show him at his best.

[@aristotleinbottle8012]

This is better tempo. I've heard many with higher tempo which fail to impress me emotionally

[@brunoabib1523]

Does this recording have copyrights? I wonder if I could use it on a short film.

[@xper2xper]

Honestly, 56 recording is a better recording for me...

[@ThePianoFiles]

It's a fine version... lots to like there, for sure... not all of us will have the same opinion

[@ThePianoFiles]

and to confirm: there's a studio recording from 1952 and a broadcast recording from 1956

[@kendrickpereira37]

@@ThePianoFiles can we hear these recordings?

[@АркадийХаритонов-ъ5ц]

Лунную сонату лучше всех исполнял Моисеевич

[@Marco1281]

Magic, yes. Sepulcral. But too slow, yet.

[@kendrickpereira37]

No. Too quick. Sounds perfunctory [first movement only]

[@Ataturk.13]

.🌹🇹🇷