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Review by Fugue November 24, 2010 (6 of 7 found this review helpful)
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| I see that Mr. Korstick has not fared well on this site. To each his own, I guess! I happen to like his white-hot intensity, which may translate into pounding for some listeners. Regardless of his tempos or the difficulty of the music, Korstick manages to attain amazing clarity. This release contains music from Beethoven's stormy middle period, and includes the "Waldstein" Op.53, Op.54 (a far more gentle, modest piece), and the great "Appassionata" Op. 57. Korstick doesn't shy away from the enormous difficulty of the two named sonatas--indeed, he attacks them with stunning ferocity. He also knows when to pull back and play more poetically as the music dictates. The sound is excellent...perhaps a tiny bit more distant than is my preference, but the extra space allows his climaxes to resonate with all of their glory. His piano is rather brightly voiced, which provides extra clarity. He may not appeal to those with more traditional tastes, say of Alfred Brendel, but I think Korstick's approach is equally valid. I eagerly await the Late Sonatas!
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