Beethoven with analysis and passion

Paavali Jumppanen is into the second album of his cycle of the complete Beethoven piano sonatas, this one featuring three early and three middle-period works. Jumppanen is a pianist and musician of international stature, with extensive, well-grounded and highly versatile expertise in Beethoven’s music.

The three early sonatas published as op. 10 are given considered, polished and balanced performances. No speed records are broken here, but Jumppanen brings out the harmonic richness, complexity of form and earthy humour in these works.

The two-movement Sonata op. 54 is an enigmatic work, and Jumppanen loads an appropriate amount of tension into its structures. His performance of the “Waldstein” Sonata op. 53 is monumental and symphonic yet also bright and vivid in its details. The “Appassionata” Sonata op. 57, then, is colossally dramatic and intense, without compromising one bit on formal precision or soaring arcs.

Jumppanen’s performances of Beethoven combine analysis, passion, stylistic awareness and a fresh approach. There are hundreds of Beethoven recordings out there, but this is one that was definitely worth releasing.

Translation: Jaakko Mäntyjärvi