Bill Blank:

>I was listening to Sonata 31 today, a favorite of mine and the more I
>listened, the more disappointing it became. Technically I was good, but
>is came across like champagne without bubbles. It was played like an
>exercise. I was wondering who would take the trouble to record such a
>rendition.
>
>I sat in the car till it was done and it was Alfred Brendal - don't
>know the recording. I'm not too familiar with his Beethoven. I have the
>Schnabel and Goode sets and lots of individual recordings. My impression
>was that Brendal was supposed to give good Beethoven.

I have not cared for any of Brendel's recordings of Beethoven.  I gave
all of mine away.  I would agree with you that his playing seems to lack
soul or pulse.  If you have no pulse you are dead.

Stumpf