Emil Gilels – Beethoven: Piano Sonatas [Stereo] (The Original Source Series Edition)

(AAA) — Lacquers cut from the original analog master tapes by Sidney Meyer at Emil Berliner Studios.

On its 125th birthday, Deutsche Grammophon releases legendary recordings in the highest sound culture: The new audiophile vinyl series The Original Source presents outstanding recordings from the 1970s in a completely new sound quality. For this purpose, the renowned Emil Berliner Studios remastered and edited the original four-track tapes using technologies developed specifically for the production of the series in 100% analog quality (AAA). The tonal differences from the original releases are considerable: greater clarity, more subtleties and improvements in frequency response, as well as less background noise, distortion and compression enable an audiophile listening experience like never before.

On 180g vinyl records and in a deluxe gatefold edition with original covers and lyrics, copies of this series are released limited and numbered. They are accompanied by additional photos and facsimiles of the recording protocols and tape boxes, and an article also explains the exact technical background.

Ludwig van Beethoven's piano sonatas always had a special place in the artistic work of the exceptional pianist Emil Gilels. His recording of sonatas No. 25, 26 and 27 is one of the great recordings of these works, with No. 26 („Les Adieux“) in particular having cult status.

Tracklist:

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 25
I. The Farewell (Adagio - Allegro)
II. Absence (Andante espressivo)
III. The reunion (Vivacissimamente)

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 26
I. Presto alla tedesca
II. Andante
III. Vivace

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 27
I. With liveliness and certainly with feeling and expression
II. Not performed too quickly and very singably

(Above description from DeutscheGrammophon.com)