The two sonatas featured on this release charted unprecedented paths of sonority and virtuosity, although the musical and pianistic aims radically differ. Vladimir ashkenazy re-recorded them both, the "hammerklavier" for his complete beethoven sonata cycle, and the "waldstein" as a digital remake for a separate cd. The rare and much sought-after 1967 recording of the "hammerklavier" - vladimir ashkenazy"s first of any beethoven sonata for decca - is sharply delineated and full of tensile energy, the fugal finale"s gnarlier sequences more incisively articulated than his later remake.