Beethoven 32
Boris Giltburg performs
The Complete Piano Sonatas
© Sasha Gusov
Boris Giltburg performs
The Complete Piano Sonatas
Release Date: 24 Sep 2021
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‘Playing the 32 sonatas is akin to embarking on a journey around the world. They contain every possible challenge to any musician – artistic, technical or emotional. Among them is the Hammerklavier Sonata, which on its own is like climbing a musical Mount Everest. But much more than by the challenge, I was driven by the excitement of exploring one of the greatest treasure troves in all of classical music.
As the project went on, I realised, that the image I have of Beethoven – an angry, grumpy man with stormy brow – was at best incomplete and superficial. After endless hours spent in his company, I was increasingly aware of the unstoppable life energy coursing through his music. Every note he wrote remained light and full of life.
This was more than inspiring: it became
a source of incredible moral support
throughout 2020. And without noticing,
the respect and admiration I’d always
felt for Beethoven morphed into
passionate love. After this pandemic,
I can’t imagine my life without
his music.’
– Boris Giltburg
‘Playing the 32 sonatas is akin to embarking on a journey around the world. They contain every possible challenge to any musician – artistic, technical or emotional. Among them is the Hammerklavier Sonata, which on its own is like climbing a musical Mount Everest. But much more than by the challenge, I was driven by the excitement of exploring one of the greatest treasure troves in all of classical music.
As the project went on, I realised, that the image I have of Beethoven – an angry, grumpy man with stormy brow – was at best incomplete and superficial. After endless hours spent in his company, I was increasingly aware of the unstoppable life energy coarsing through his music. Every note he wrote pulses with life and warmth. He faced so much personal hardship, and yet the core of his music forever remained light and full of life.
This was more than inspiring: it became a source of incredible moral support throughout 2020. And without noticing, the respect and admiration I’d always felt for Beethoven morphed into passionate love. After this pandemic, I can’t imagine my life without his music.’
– Boris Giltburg
