Beethoven Complete Release
“Testament”, the complete set of my Beethoven piano sonata recording was finally released worldwide this spring by Universal Music (Decca Korea). Physical copies are available through Korean online stores or by personal request in the U.S.
On this occasion I gave a series of Beethoven recitals at University of Michigan (3/15), Steinway Gallery Baltimore (3/23) in the US, Daegu Concert House (4/2) and IBK Chamber of Seoul Arts Center (4/10) in Korea, featuring four of Beethoven’s most profound sonatas: Op. 53 (“Waldstein”), Op. 109, Op. 110, and Op. 111.
These works, especially the late sonatas, are like the final “Testament” of Beethoven and it was a humbling experience for me to perform them together.
Recently I came across several reviews on my Beethoven complete album and was deeply humbled. You can read the original pages with a click on the author.
By Jed Distler [Classics Today] 2025
[…] in Beethoven’s composing, Choi Hieyon’s playing, and the listener’s experience, all distinctions dissolve—composer, performer, and listener become one. (한글원문)
By Yong-Won Sung [Review Monthly] 05/2025
[…] In Choi Hie-Yon’s performance, one could feel the spirit of the classical tradition embodied by pianists like Wilhelm Kempff and Wilhelm Backhaus. (한글원문)
My journey with Beethoven has been long and deeply rewarding. Since 2002, I’ve been devoted to performing his works extensively—first through a complete performance cycle, and later, his complete chamber music presented by the Kumho Art Foundation and another piano sonata cycle at various venues across US, Korea, Sweden, Germany. Then in 2015, I began recording his piano sonatas. The sessions took place at Teldex Studio Berlin with the Grammy-winning producer Martin Sauer and the exceptional piano technician Thomas Hübsch, and were completed in the spring of 2023. More stories can be found in the album’s liner notes.
At last, I am happy to share some memories captured from Teldex 2015-2023!
©Eunha Park