![\"Beethoven](\"http:\/\/www.musicalamerica.com\/mablogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/siboraPolliniBeethoven2.jpg\")
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By ANDREW POWELL MUNICH \u2014 It took him 39 years, but Maurizio Pollini<\/a> has now completed his recorded survey of Beethoven sonatas here in the Herkulessaal<\/a>, where the project began. The final sessions, for the Opp. 31 and 49 pieces, were held in June this year, and the resulting CD set<\/a> is due for U.S. release on Dec. 2, according to Amazon.<\/p>\n In all, twenty-three of the sonatas were taped in the 1,270-seat shoebox hall, part of Munich\u2019s Residenz<\/a> arts complex and a favorite venue of the 72-year-old Lombard pianist since he used it for his legendary Chopin Etudes disc<\/a> in 1972. First built in 1842 as Bavarian King Ludwig I\u2019s throne room, bombed during World War II and reopened for concerts in 1953, the stately but drab Herkulessaal remains this city\u2019s one acoustically satisfactory venue for symphonic music and is a home to the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra<\/a>.<\/p>\n Pollini\u2019s slowly deliberated cycle, involving no second passes, started with the Opp. 109 and 110 sonatas in June 1975, when he was 33. Munich sessions continued in 1988, 1991, 2002 and 2007, while nine sonatas were recorded in Vienna and Lucerne. The record label is Deutsche Grammophon.<\/p>\n Photo \u00a9 Rosanna Sibora<\/p>\n Related posts:
Published: November 24, 2014<\/span><\/p>\n
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