Beethoven: Diabelli Variations; Sonata "Appassionata"

Bloss, Nick van

NI 6276

'How lucky are we to hear such a personal and refreshing performance of both the Diabelli Variations and the Appassionata. Nick van Bloss's playing is fluid, extremely transparent, non-sentimental, yet always gripping by its rhythmic force.' --Supersonic Pizzicato • 'From its bounding, swinging theme onwards, this Diabelli is a wonderfully fresh, effervescent sequence of variations. Nick van Bloss won high praise for his Bach Goldbergs, and this Beethoven is equally urgent in its desire to communicate. Speeds are on the fast side: you sense Beethoven pushing at the bounds of logic with van Bloss following him all the way to the edge scutteringly fast in variations two and 10, jokingly eccentric in 13 and 21, an occasional sense of frenetic hurrying stilled by the balm of the quiet fugal variation 24 and the inner peace of variations 29 to 31. After the huge fugue of variation 30, the set evaporates; but van Bloss cleverly follows it with a pounding Appassionata Sonata, scarcely subtle but very exciting.' --The Guardian, May 2015 • The playing is impeccable, and so are such details as the amount of silence left between variations enough so that each makes its mark but momentum is maintained... on balance the Diabelli Variations is not only the main work but also the main reason you will want to hear this disc. There is a good booklet, with that interesting interview with the pianist and full notes on the Variations, and the usual excellent Nimbus piano sound. --musicweb-international.com

CD x 1

Nimbus

03.04.15

710357627620