Legendary piano master Sviatoslav Richter imparts these three sonatas with all the intensity and intellect that made his playing famous.
"Orchestral solidity of sound makes the first movements immediately impressive. But the true scaling of heights comes in the slow movement of the C major [No. 3] — a colossal psychodrama here — and, unexpectedly, in the shadowy third movement of the E flat [No. 4]. The Op. 90 Sonata [No. 27] is mellower, never to the point of actually smiling, but unobtrusively responsive to the direction of Beethoven's thought. Only a select few pianists are so in touch with Beethoven the awe-inspirer; and of those is there any who can match Richter for sustained intensity and will-power?" (Gramophone)
