Classical Review
Classical Review
Classical music reviews and resources
Warren Mailley-Smith
Beethoven - Piano Sonatas Nos. 8 'Pathetique', 14 'Moonlight' & 21 'Waldstein'
Instrumental
Quick Review No. 1
If the question, 'Do we really need another recording of these works?' hasn't yet entered your mind, you're to be congratulated on your refreshing lack of cynicism. Also to be congratulated is Warren Mailley-Smith, for adding to the catalogue three refreshingly unsentimental readings of these solo piano warhorses.
While this album's title may give the impression that this is classical music as easy listening, the pianism is far from soft soap. Mailley-Smith resists the temptation to blunt edges and slow adagios to a crawl - a trap fallen into by many a renowned pianist. Instead, he imbues each work with an obvious enthusiasm that proves he hasn't simply learned these scores for the sake of this recording.
Those familiar with Andras Schiff's recent accounts of Beethoven's piano sonatas will perhaps detect a hint of Schiff's taut pianism in Mailley-Smith's playing.
The 'Pathetique' sonata's opening melancholy is a good example of this. It's treated with an appropriate gravity, before bubbling up into a tightly focused first movement. The second movement sustains that focus, yet manages still to be reflective - while the skipping third movement never once trips over a note.
Mailley-Smith's firm grip on his playing (reminiscent of Peter Rosel) robs the 'Waldstein' sonata of a little of its thrust. But his approach to the famous first movement of the 'Moonlight' sonata is perfectly paced - it treads a path lit by romance, but not clouded by self-indulgence. The rest of this sonata is equally well judged.
The ubiquity of these works may be a reason not to add this disc to your library. But ask yourself a question: 'Do you really want to ignore such a promising young talent?'
FK
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