The Complete Beethoven Sonatas – Vol. 8

About Peter Takács

Hailed as “a marvelous pianist” by The New York Times, Peter Takács has established himself as a distinguished performer, teacher, and lecturer. Winner of the William Kapell International Competition, he has appeared in recite, chamber music, and with orchestras in the United States, Europe, and Asia. He has given master classes throughout the world and has been an adjudicator in many prestigious international competitions.

In 2015-16, he inaugurated a new recital series entitles “Key Pianists,” performing three all-Beethoven programs at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. His recording of the complete Beethoven Piano Sonatas was released on the Cambria label in July 2011 to critical acclaim.

Recorded in 5 Channel Surround Sound DSD 64 by Soundmirror, the albums are now Available in Stereo and 5 Channel Surround Sound DSD 256. DSD 128 and DSD 64 plus Stereo DSD 512, exclusively at Native DSD.

A Note From the Artist

For many reasons, I feel strongly that the musical text should not act as a final destination, but rather constitute a point of departure for the interpreter. First, there is no such things as “the text,” since what we see on the printed page of even fully dependable editions is a composite of many, often contradictory, source materials and editorial decisions. Second, musical traditions have changed over the centuries, and we have to reconstruct the original intentions of composers by immersing ourselves in historical and artistic contexts, which may entail implications not found on the printed page. Third, we have to search for narrative truth by empathetically divining what my great teacher Leon Fleisher calls “the wisdom of the material,” the unspoken essence that lies beyond the notes.

This music is centuries old, and while some of its meanings may have changed over time, I fervently believe it carries the same evocative power today as it did at its conception. In that spirit, at every point, I have tried to create a sense of naturalness and inevitability in my interpretive choices, in an attempt to fulfil Beethoven’s words: “Von Herzen Möge es wieder zu Herzen gene!” (From the heart, may it return to the heart!).

Peter Takács – Piano