Piano Sonata No. 12, Op. 26
Piano Sonata No. 13, Op. 27 no. 1
Piano Sonata No. 14, Op. 27 no. 2
Piano Sonata No. 15, Op. 28
Piano Sonata No. 16, Op. 31 no. 1
Piano Sonata No. 17, Op. 31 no. 2
Piano Sonata No. 18, Op. 31 no. 3

With some of the more popular ones already exceeding over 250 available versions, we probably need yet another recording of Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Sonatas like we need a hole in the head. Right? Well ... when given a forthright, genuine and unaffected account like the one on offer here by pianist Karsten Scholz I believe there's room for more. Beethoven was a hard working and resolute composer simply trying to impose his own logic on the already existing "classical" form and structure established by Haydn and Mozart. And that's what I hear first and foremost within these interpretations by Karsten Scholz. I'm reminded of Kempff or Schnabel, rather than Ohlsson, Horowitz or Lewis upon audition. His take is lucid, in an attempt to recreate Beethoven's own intentions as indicated on the printed page. I haven't had a chance to hear Volumes 1 and 2 of this cycle which include the more mature sonatas (it seems Scholz is working his way through them backwards) but there is no hint of excess "romanticizing" on this one, with no added mannerisms or sweeteners. Beethoven straight up!

My only quibble with this release is the fact that the booklet notes are strictly in German, but you can always visit Karsten's website and have Google translate the information for you.