Beethoven Piano Sonatas

Young-Ah Tak, piano

November 1, 2019
Label: Steinway & Sons [STNS 30106]

Steinway & Sons begins their celebration of the Beethoven anniversary year with a new recording from the thrilling Korean pianist Young-Ah Tak, an artist who was born to play this music.

In anticipation of the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth, Steinway & Sons releases a recording of three of the composer’s piano sonatas performed by Young-Ah Tak in her debut recording for the Steinway label (STNS 30106). The works span the short and cheery early Sonata No. 6 in F Major to the monumental Sonata No. 23 in F minor, “Appassionata.” Tak will perform from the album along with other works in a recital at Steinway Hall in New York City on November 14, 2019. The event is private but a select number of media tickets are available.

Like most pianists, Tak has had a long relationship with Beethoven, from her first public solo recital at age 9 which included several Beethoven variations on the program, to her audition for The Juilliard School with the Sonata No. 18 in E flat major, featured on this disc. Tak waited a long time to study and perform the “Appassionata,” given the hundreds of interpretations already out in the world, so as to ensure she could give the piece a convincing reading in her own voice.

These recordings, recorded at Steinway Hall in New York, were immediately recognized as definitive recordings to serve in the essential series of Steinway classics.

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Rondo for Piano in C major, Op. 51 No. 1
Sonata for Piano no 6 in F major, Op. 10 No. 2
Sonata for Piano no 17 in D minor, Op. 31 No. 2 "Tempest"
Sonata for Piano no 23 in F minor, Op. 57 "Appassionata"

---

Reviews

“Tak plays with supreme confidence but never virtuosic arrogance”
CD HotList

“Tak's rhythmic incisiveness and technical fluency are marvels to behold, and her playing evinces both boldness and clarity of texturing...”
Fanfare

“In Tak’s capable hands, new and effervescent subtleties of this music are introduced, exposed and played with to the satisfaction of both the performer and audience (and one would hope composer too).”
The Whole Note

“Tak’s technical prowess is undoubted, as is the thoughtfulness of her playing.”
Infodad.com