Casadesus: Moonlight, Appassionata, Les Adieux Piano Sonatas - Columbia ML 5233

Jacket EX / LP EX / US pressing This handsome LP from Columbia Masterworks (ML 5233, US pressing, gray 6eye label, mono) features the great Robert Casadesus in a triptych of masterful Beethoven performances: the Piano Sonatas No. 23 in F minor Op. 57 ‘Appassionata,’ No. 14 in C sharp minor Op. 27 No. 2 ‘Moonlight,’ and No. 26 in E Flat Major Op. 81a ‘Les Adieux’ – all recorded in Paris, January 1957. Fleet, cogent, brilliantly articulated, Casadesus’ Beethoven is a revelatory antidote to the heavier, more ‘Teutonic’ cast favored by his rivals, and widely acclaimed as authentic. Casadesus brings each work into sharp focus, imparting high drama and unfailing poetry, with some of the finest pedaling on record. Incidentally, the striking cover photo was taken by Vic Obsatz. There are superlative liner notes on the reverse side of the jacket by Charles Burr, printed in English only. CONDITION: The gradations of condition I use are as follows: MINT, Near-Mint, Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fai