Vladyslav Ustiuhov’s debut album presents all eight movements of Beethoven’s Opp. 53, 57, and 111 with both technical command and interpretive depth. Each movement is treated as an essential chapter in a larger emotional and architectural journey.
Piano Sonata No. 21, Op. 53 “Waldstein”
I. Allegro con brio – Ustiuhov launches the album with brilliance and clarity. The repeated chords are buoyant rather than percussive, and the rapid passagework shimmers with precision. He maintains forward drive while carefully shaping Beethoven’s bold harmonic shifts, giving the movement both energy and structural coherence. II. Introduzione: Adagio molto – This brief, meditative bridge is handled with restraint and suspended tension. Ustiuhov allows the harmonies to breathe, creating a sense of anticipation that quietly prepares the listener for the finale.
III. Rondo: Allegretto moderato – Prestissimo – The main theme sings with warmth and poise, never rushed. As the movement accelerates toward the Prestissimo coda, Ustiuhov balances virtuosity with control, delivering a radiant, exhilarating conclusion that captures the sonata’s optimistic spirit.
I. Allegro assai – Here, the mood darkens. Ustiuhov builds tension patiently, emphasizing dynamic contrasts and dramatic pacing rather than sheer volume. The stormy passages surge with intensity, yet inner voices remain clear and purposeful.
II. Andante con moto – This movement reveals his lyrical sensitivity. The variations unfold with calm assurance, each phrase shaped with vocal warmth and expressive nuance. It becomes a moment of introspection amid the surrounding turbulence. III. Allegro ma non troppo – Presto – The finale is relentless and gripping. Ustiuhov sustains momentum without sacrificing clarity, guiding the music toward its fiery, almost catastrophic ending with disciplined precision and emotional conviction. I. Maestoso – Allegro con brio ed appassionato – The opening chords carry weight and gravitas, setting a monumental tone. Ustiuhov captures both the grandeur and volatility of the movement, articulating its dramatic contrasts with authority while preserving its architectural sweep. II. Arietta: Adagio molto semplice e cantabile – The album’s most transcendent moment. Ustiuhov approaches the theme with purity and simplicity, allowing the variations to unfold organically. As rhythmic complexity increases and textures lighten, he sustains a long spiritual arc, concluding in a state of luminous stillness that feels contemplative and deeply moving. Across all eight movements, Vladyslav Ustiuhov demonstrates not only technical mastery but also a thoughtful understanding of Beethoven’s emotional landscape—moving from radiance to struggle to transcendence. The album stands as a cohesive, compelling debut that affirms his voice as a serious and sensitive interpreter of the classical canon.
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