Although Walter Gieseking did not live to complete a projected EMI Beethoven cycle (he taped about two-thirds of the sonatas prior to his unexpected death in October, 1956), he did broadcast all 32 sonatas over German radio in 1949. Tahra now issues this cycle, save for Sonatas Nos. 4, 5, 7, 20, and 22, whose tapes evidently have not survived. The sound quality ranges from decent aircheck sonics (the last five sonatas) to severely muffled and constricted (Sonatas 8 through 15). You can still infer Gieseking's singular tone, albeit on a radio studio baby grand that doesn't hold its tuning. The performances are variable yet illuminating. The early sonatas nearly burst at the seams with long-limbed brio that contrasts to Gieseking's more refined EMI readings. Conversely, the pianist pushes the Waldstein and Appassionata way past the standard speed limit, garbling the musical argument. On the other hand, Gieseking takes his time spinning out Op. 109's probing outer movements, replete with otherwordly trills, and Op. 111 is equally perceptive and intense. Gieseking afficionados will perk up at the liberal inflection and rubato the pianist brings to Op. 90's second movement, but might be disappointed at his slapdash Hammerklavier sonata. No doubt this release will mainly appeal to specialists, yet it surely adds to what we know of Gieseking's Beethovenian prowess while filling in some of the pianist's discographical gaps.

--Jed Distler