REVIEWS "A Musical Gold Medal"
Sonatas
"Difficult as it may be to talk about the late sonatas, to do them justice at the keyboard is surely a great deal more difficult. I can think of no higher praise of Maestro Willems musicianship than to say that I find his performance of these sonatas as deeply moving, as intelligent and insightful as any I've heard. And that includes some pretty exalted company: Sviatoslav Richter, Artur Schnabel, Ernst Levy."
Russell Lichter, Stereo Times (USA)
"The playing is felicitous and well-judged, full of Beethoven's passion, introspection and spirit... there is no doubt this is a major Australian undertaking that adds another dimension"
Kim Lockwood, Melbourne Herald-Sun
"Willems' bravery in undertaking this assignment proves to be justified by the care and quality of his interpretations... I have no hesitation in recommending this box of discs..."
Roger Covell, Sydney Morning Herald
"Willems has great command of the music, not just its technical demands (formidable as they are) but of its spiritual dimension as well. (His) versions are technically triumphant, intensely musical and have provided me with extraordinary pleasure."
John Carmody, Sun-Herald
"All the performances reveal Willems as a sensitive and thoughtful interpreter of Beethoven..."
Tony Way, Melbourne Age
"By comparison with Willems, Kempff is austere, didactic and monochrome..."
John Carmody, Sun-Herald
"Willems finds tempos that allow Beethoven's music to speak and breathe with great clarity..."
Andrew Ford, 24 Hours
"Gerard Willems... has taken on an assignment of heroic grandeur in recording for ABC Classics the complete set of the 32 piano sonatas by Beethoven."
Roger Covell, Sydney Morning Herald
"This is a mammoth undertaking by Willems... It has been handled meticulously."
Kim Lockwood, Melbourne Herald-Sun
"In Beethoven's last sonata... Willems is spot-on... succeeding impressively in conveying the awesome, massive quality of some of the most dramatic music ever written... (he) coaxes from the instrument a stream of the most agreeably refulgent sound."
Neville Cohn, The West Australian
"Gerard Willems' recordings... are one of the great landmarks in Australian classical recording history. (They) make the listener reassess his or her previous concepts (and) ensure that these works written 200 years ago are as relevant today as they were at the beginning of the 19th century."
Barry Walmsley, The Newcastle Herald
"Willems has given Australia a musical gold medal"
High Court Judge, Justice Michael Kirby, Sydney Morning Herald
"Mr Willems is an artist who understands Beethoven's music. He plays all works with power as well as gentleness and at all times faithfully."
Karel Husa, Czech-American Composer/Conductor
Concertos
"The orchestra, using period brass and tympani, are spot on, clean, precise, utterly involved. All the understanding, warmth and genial passion Willems brought to the sonatas is in evidence as well in the concertos. I've never been more delighted by any recording of the Beethoven concertos."
Russell Lichter, Stereo Times (USA)
"This set was a pleasure from start to finish. The quality of the competition in this repertoire is exceptionally fierce with Willems battling against the cream of interpreters. His endearing playing is compelling and satisfying and of a consistently high calibre. Well worth hearing and Beethoven fans will be in their element.”
Michael Cookson, MW Classical Music Web UK
"…once again this exceptional Australian pianist demonstrates his affinity with the composer...the result is a deeply convincing balance between authentic Classical performance style and modern interpretation.”
Martin Buzacott, Limelight
"Willems’ fine artistry and deep empathy with the composer, the Australian piano and orchestra, make for deeply satisfying music making.”
Tony Way, The Age
"Gerard Willems is one of the foremost Beethoven interpreters of his generation. His playing in these concertos … is unsurpassed. These discs are simply well worth buying, no matter how many recordings you already have of these landmark concertos.”
Mike Smith, Fine Music
"...there is some fine playing, particularly in the cadenzas, where Willems is strong and dramatic.”
Martin Ball, The Weekend Australian
"Unlike some recent high-profile sets of Beethoven piano concertos, conductor and soloist are in complete accord in their view of the music… This collection will give lasting pleasure and is a fitting conclusion to an epic journey.”
Tony Way, The Age
"The detail of phrasing, the attacks and decays, and the underlying atmosphere of profound thought, are what makes this an invaluable addition to the many recordings of this repertoire.”
Harriet Cunningham, The Australian Way
Emperor
DVD
"It's intimate but also generates a sense of excitement you wouldn't expect from this kind of musical performance."
Greg Hassall, Sydney Morning Herald
"Is it the best alternative to the live concert? Unquestionably and emphatically yes.”
David Vivian Russell, Limelight
"The thing that sets the Emperor film apart is its verve and clarity.”
Diana Simmonds, The Sunday Telegraph
"This is a thoughtful and lovingly put together package that makes full use of the new medium.”
Andrew Fraser, MAG (Music Australia Guide)
"The Gerard Willems revealed in this DVD, with his programmatic commentary on the concerto... who winks at conductor Antony Walker at the conclusion of the first movement, and who, in the supplementary material, conducts a master class for young students, seems relaxed, easy-going, free of self-importance and thoroughly likeable.”
Russell Lichter, Stereo Times (USA)