I find his account of the sonatas extraordinarily clear and powerful. Oconors performance had the inwardness to play the opening of the moonlight, the drama to play the opening. The teaching of john o conor is very experiential and its aim transparent. For an unforgettable lesson in how to articulate piano lines, accents, crescendos, chords, legato, staccatoyou name itlisten to john o conor s rendition of the first movement of sonata no. John o conor has loved the music of ludwig van beethoven since he was a child. Recognized as one of the worlds premier beethoven interpreters, shenandoah conservatory distinguished artistinresidence john o conor celebrates beethoven s 250th birthday anniversary with a special performance of the composers last three sonatas. Of the great composers, haydn is the most seriously overlooked. The tone, sustain, and reverb are as rich as the telarc name i have owned this cd for over 20 years. In this unique film, recorded in positano, on italys rugged amalfi coast, internationally acclaimed concert pianist john oconor tries to pass on the passion and power of beethoven. Waldstein, tempest, les adieux by john oconor and tens of millions of other songs on all your devices with amazon. Master beethoven pianist john oconor thinks he can always. John oconor and beethoven the royal conservatory of music. The complete piano sonatas box set john o conor on allmusic 1994. O conor s performance had the inwardness to play the.
John o conor s website shows his career to be still continuing. O conor explains that while haydns sonatas tend to be eclipsed by the later works of composers such as beethoven and mozart, and even though they might not be as powerful, they still retain a certain sparkle in them. His life has been tied up with the music of beethoven, so to hear him talk about that music as well as play it allowed a glimpse into the worlds of both beethoven and o conor. His technical performance of the second movement of pathetique was excellent, of course. Diabelli variations to enjoy in your home or car, or gift it to another music lover. Records became rarer during the last decade but with a beethoven concerto cycle now under way i look forward to judging him for what he is and not what he was. O conor s performances as recordings of the highest calibre and beethoven playing. You can hear the humor in some of beethoven s sonatas. He went on to record the complete sonatas and these were issued as a box set in 1994.
John oconor is a highly accomplished and respected pianist, one who has studied beethoven extensively. John oconor shenandoah university faculty directory. Sometimes you hear stress and heaviness as well as lightheartedness. Get the complete set of all 32 beethoven piano sonatas on 9 cds from telarc and john o conor. These performances are the way john o conor conceived of the pieces on that particular day. O conor is sometimes called a poet of piano and is best known for his recordings of beethoven and john field. John o conor is a lyrical pianist who plays with beautiful tone. John oconor is an irish pianist and pedagogue, and former director of the royal irish academy of music. Ludwig van beethoven wrote his 32 piano sonatas between 1795 and 1822. Piano sonatas volume 7 by john o conor on amazon music. With music streaming on deezer you can discover more than 56 million tracks, create your own playlists, and share your favourite tracks with your friends. Learn the nuances, hidden melodies, pedal tricks, and expressive devices, that will improve your musicality and allow you to find your own voice in this popular sonata. His cycle of the beethoven piano sonatas proves him as a musical potentate. It is a wonderful introduction to beethoven and john o conor.
This 1985 recording of irish pianist john o conor performing three of beethoven s most popular sonatas was made in london using sony equipment was a typical early telarc production. This album was born out of john o conor s love for haydns sonatas, which he believes are greatly underestimated among the piano repertoire. John oconor is something of a national treasure few musicians in ireland today command the respect afforded him, as performer, recording artist and teacher. This 1985 recording of irish pianist john oconor performing three of beethovens most popular sonatas was made in london using sony equipment was a typical early telarc production. Beethoven, john oconor piano sonatas, volume v 1990. Oconor, john, beethoven, ludwig van piano sonatas 2. Assistant professor of cello julian schwarz and distinguished artistinresidence and professor of piano john o conor present a free faculty recital featuring the complete beethoven sonatas for cello and piano. Though the focus was solely on beethoven s piano sonatas and concerti, the result was not an overwhelming one. It is interesting to note that he studied with that great beethoven specialist, wilhelm kempff.
He is not so aggressive as some other pianists and has made a beautiful recording of beethoven piano sonatas. John o conor s complete set of beethoven piano sonatas is a monumental achievement, not only for the sheer volume of music recorded, but for its coherent interpretive scope and its successful illumination of developmental aspects of beethoven s everevolving style. Provided to youtube by universal music group beethoven. O conor first gained widespread attention in the usa in 1986 with the release of his first volume of beethoven sonatas on the telarc label. The five sonatas presented here are characteristic of the classical style, to which haydn was the most important contributor and innovator, and his techniques and expressions anticipate the more dramatic features of the piano sonatas of wolfgang amadeus mozart and ludwig van beethoven. The five sonatas presented here are characteristic of the classical style, to which haydn was the most important contributor and innovator. This is an excellent installment in john oconors cycle of the complete beethoven piano sonatas. John o conor will present beethoven s pathetique, moonlight and appassionata sonatas during a conservatory concert at westmoreland circle. Find john oconor discography, albums and singles on allmusic. John o conor is a highly accomplished and respected pianist, one who has studied beethoven extensively. Although originally not intended to be a meaningful whole, as a set they compose one of the most important collections of works in the history of music. John o conor first gained widespread attention in the usa in 1986 with the release of his first volume of beethoven sonatas on the telarc label. Beethoven specialist john o conor, whose playing has the kind of flawless touch that makes an audience gasp washington post, will perform the final three piano sonatas by beethoven, considered the pinnacle of his works.
O conor has made more than 20 recordings for the telarc label including the complete beethoven piano sonatas, and the complete beethoven bagatelles, which latter was cited by the new york times as the best recording of these works. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Some of the sonatas receive a more restrained treatment than do others there is a variety of approach. However, i kept waiting for the familiar emotions to wash over me, and they just didnt happen. The recording was made in mechanics hall in worcester, mass.