Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos 8 'Pathetique' No14 'Moonlight' No 21 'Waldstein' No 23 'Appassionata'

"Everything Kempff does has his individual stamp; above all, he never fails to convey the deep intensity of a matter in communication with Beethoven, as in the magic of his measured reading of the finale of the Waldstein. The Appasoniata is characterically clear and classically straight. The recording has gained in firmness with the clear sound and the digital remastering."
* * * Three Stars (Penguin Stereo Guide)

Wilhelm Kempff was born near Berlin, and grew up in Potsdam. At the age of nine Kempff was awarded two scholarships to the Royal School of Music in Berlin, for the study of the piano with the Royal Court Pianist Heinrich Barth and of composition with Robert Kahn.

In 1914 he completed his studies at the Viktoria Gymnasium and in 1916 completed his composition and piano examinations with distinction, twice winning the Mendelssohn Prize. Thereafter he gave concerts as both pianist and organist around the world. His repertory ranged from the Baroque to the Romantic styles. The pianist gave his last public performance in Paris in 1981. His suffered from Parkinson's disease.