Beethoven’s music was an acquired rather than a natural affinity for Vladimir Horowitz, yet his few recorded forays on the composer’s behalf fascinate, even when the pianist fails to convince. His 1959 “Appassionata”, for instance, crackles with jolting dynamic contrasts and nervous energy, although I prefer the pianist’s 1972 CBS remake for its more finely honed, naturally integrated tempo relationships in the slow movement and finale. The same can be said regarding Horowitz’s 1956 “Waldstein”. Pianistically, his driving bravura impresses in the outer movements (fortified by discreet though noticeable bass amplifications), and he transforms the celebrated glissando octaves into steel-fingered “Horowitz” octaves. But again, the 1972 CBS remake reveals more scrupulous adherence to Beethoven’s painstaking dynamic markings. By contrast, there’s a simplicity and directness to the 1956 “Moonlight” that eludes the pianist’s slightly contrived rethinking for CBS 16 years later. The 1956 sessions were taped in Horowitz’s New York City living room, and they still sound boxy and dry despite RCA’s superior new transfers. Those who have the excellent RCA Living Stereo CD transfer of the “Appassionata” will find its strident edges tamed a bit in this release.
