[ymv]

I would like to get the Arrau Box set of Beethoven Piano Sonatas, and there seem to be two options out there, one just as they are, another including Beethoven's Piano Concertos.

Beethoven: Piano Sonatas (2004) - $217.99
http://www.amazon.com/Beethoven-Pian...877038-0149555

Beethoven: The Complete Piano Sonatas and Concertos (1999) - $100.99
http://www.amazon.com/Beethoven-Comp...877038-0149555

I'm quite confused as to why there's such a massive price difference, especially as the cheaper one includes the 5 concertos as well...Is there some sonic difference maybe?

Thanks

 

[Bunnyears]

As far as I know, Arrau only recorded the sonatas once in stereo. I may be wrong, but it also looks as the label for the more expensive set, UMVD is probably a division of Universal Music which is the parent company for Decca-Philips. I suspect that the more expensive set contains the same recordings as the budget box.

A quick check at cduniverse.com shows the Arrau Heritage set for a bit less and also shows the label as Philips-Netherlands. I am sure that they are the same sonata recordings. They are just more expensive because the set is produced in the Netherlands and the dollar is so weak against the Euro. Btw, the Philips brown box also has one of his recordings of the piano concertos which makes it by far the better value.

 

[ymv]

Thanks Bunnyears.

 

[Bunnyears]

You're welcome!