Ania Dorfmann with Familiar Beethoven

My series of recordings by pianist Ania Dorfmann continues with perhaps the two most often heard Beethoven sonatas - the"Moonlight" (No. 14 in C-sharp minor "Quasi una fantasia", Op. 27, No. 2) and the "Pathétique" (No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13).

Dorfmann recorded these pieces in New York's Town Hall in June and July 1952 for RCA Victor's revived Bluebird label, which had become a budget imprint. Reader Jon Butler, in requesting this transfer, noted that "So many people learned about both Beethoven and the piano through Dorfmann's low-priced Bluebird recording."

My own introduction was via Rudolf Serkin, and of course I remain
attached to his readings. But these interpretations by Dorfmann have their own stature, with both poetry and power as required.

The sound is generally good, although the first movement of the Moonlight was problematic - my pressing had severe distortion in several places on one or the other channel. Luckily this was only on one channel at a time, and I was able to negotiate my way through to a largely unblemished final product. In other places, you may notice some discoloration in the fortes, which may have been on the master tape; I hope this isn't too distracting.