Stephen Beville in Karlsruhe
After studies at the Royal Academy and the Royal Northern College of Music, British pianist Stephen Beville won a scholarship to study at the Staadt Hochschule in Karlsruhe, Germany. During his time there he gave several acclaimed concerts and made studio recordings, a selection of which make up this, his commercial recording debut. Described as ‘one of the most talented young musicians to emerge from the UK’ by Frankfurter Neue Press, his musicianship and deep consideration of his music are well demonstrated. In this 2 CD set the performances of the Beethoven Op. 111 and Schumann’s C major Fantasie are taken from live concerts.
Track Listing
-
Fryderyk Chopin:
- Scherzo no. 4 in E major, Op. 54 (10:57) Pierre Boulez:
- Douze Notations − I. Fantasque - modere (0:50)
- Douze Notations − II. Tres vif (0:26)
- Douze Notations − III. Assez lent (0:54)
- Douze Notations − IV. Rythmique (0:35)
- Douze Notations − V. Douz et improvise (0:53)
- Douze Notations − VI. Rapide (0:27)
- Douze Notations − VII. Hieratique (1:26)
- Douze Notations − VIII. Modere jusqu'a tres vif (0:56)
- Douze Notations − IX. Lointain - calme (1:46)
- Douze Notations − X. Mecanique et tres sec (0:26)
- Douze Notations − XI. Scintillant (0:43)
- Douze Notations − XII. Lent - puissant et apre (1:09) Ludwig van Beethoven:
- Piano Sonata in C minor, Op. 111 − I. Maestoso - Allegro con brio ed appassionato (9:38)
- Piano Sonata in C minor, Op. 111 − II. Arietta - Adagio molto semplice e cantabile (17:06)
- Piano Sonata in E flat major, Op. 81a − I. Das Lebewohl: Adagio - allegro (6:57)
- Piano Sonata in E flat major, Op. 81a − II. Abwesenheit: Andante espressivo (3:30)
- Piano Sonata in E flat major, Op. 81a − III. Das Wiedersehn: Vivicassimamente (4:36) Robert Schumann:
- Fantasie in C major, Op. 17 − I. Durchaus phantastisch und leidenschaftich vorzutragen (13:20)
- Fantasie in C major, Op. 17 − II. Massig. Durchaus energisch (7:42)
- Fantasie in C major, Op. 17 − III. Langsam getragen. Durchweg leise zu halten (11:19)
Reviews
“This ambitious recital by a young British virtuoso, captures him in both studio and concert performances. From the outset we feel the presence of an intelligent, controlled and searching pair of hands quite capable of imparting power as well as finesse. When Beville builds up his momentum [in Beethoven’s Op. 111], the surge becomes persuasively emphatic, the intimate moments eerily serene. The last movement [of the Schumann Fantasie] plays directly into Beville’s ardent hands, an apt gesture from one young poet to another.
” —Gary Lemco
“Beville plays [the Boulez] brilliantly. . The Chopin Scherzo No 4 in E, which is the least stormy of the scherzos, is dispatched with a clean, deliberate approach that is tender, but rhythmically taut. Beville is never tempted to moon over any coloristic or sentimental elements of the music…..compared to Arrau, Ax or Rubinstein (as much as I revere the playing of those three), I did find Beville’s way with the score, in a word, refreshing. [In the Schumann] he delivers a bold and electrifying march through the second movement and an absolutely gorgeous and dramatic performance of the great slow finale. Beville wrote his own thoughtful and informative notes. Certainly, his is a career to keep an ear open for.
” —Peter Burwasser
“Beville is a thoughtful artist, whose accounts of each of the established masterpieces here are well worth hearing.
” —Robert Matthew-Walker
