Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 27 No. 2 ‘Moonlight' (Mondschein Sonata)

“Sonata pour piano quasi una fantasia” was the title that Beethoven himself gave in 1801 to his celebrated Sonata Op.27 No.2, which the poet Ludwig Rellstab later christened the “Moonlight” sonata. The work consists of three movements: an Adagio sostenuto, whose melody unfurls over a dreamy nocturne-like texture, an Allegretto that combines elements of both scherzo and minuet, and a Presto agitato marked by a virtuosity that is almost violent and even desperate.

The C major Sonata Op.53 has acquired two subtitles: “Waldstein” and “Dawn”. Completed in 1804, it was dedicated to Count Waldstein, one of Beethoven’s patrons. It consists of two movements and begins with an Allegro con brio in which the dimensions of sonata form are vastly extended. A slow Introduzione leads into the Rondo finale, with its ever-changing colours and unbounded vitality.

Written between 1804 and 1806, the F minor Sonata Op.57 (the “Appassionata”) was one of Beethoven’s favourites; he considered it to be his greatest sonata. He used to advise performers of this work to read Shakespeare’s Tempest, which led Romain Rolland to compare the “Appassionata” to “a fiery torrent on a bed of granite”. It is in three movements: an Allegro assai that explores the menacing lower register of the piano, a slow movement in variation form, in which the tension is never allowed to slacken, and a tormented Allegro ma non troppo, whose headlong rush is combined with magnificent, almost orchestral sonorities.

Angela Hewitt’s legion of fans will be delighted at this eagerly awaited third volume of Beethoven sonatas. Her first two releases in this series were praised for their ‘clarity, intelligence and elegance’ … ‘fusing poetry and passion’, and all these trademark qualities of her playing are fully present in this third disc.

Four contrasting sonatas are presented here, including Op 27 No 2 ‘Moonlight’, which needs no introduction.

A generously-filled disc (75’) in which the great Chilean pianist Claudio Arrau performs three popular Beethoven sonatas taken from his complete cycle recorded in the 1960s; also included is Arrau’s recording of the rarely-heard Rondo, op.51 no.2

Following Warren Mailley-Smith’s debut release on Quartz Records, comes a delightful programme of Beethoven’s most popular and endearing piano sonatas. A reputation as one of the country’s leading solo pianists of his generation continues to grow with performances all over the over the UK.

“Rising star - great artist of tomorrow” BBC Music Magazine

“This musician is about to make a huge impression on the classical circuit” Classic FM

Recordings made in 1962–64 for Vox.

This CD contains the three most popular Beethoven Sonatas.

‘The playing is very deeply committed, very intense, but never ponderously philosophical’Gramophone

Alfred Brendel’s first recorded cycle of the complete works for piano of Beethoven appeared in the 1960s on the Vox label. They established his reputation as a leading interpreter of the composer, and although he returned to the studio subsequently to re-record the sonatas and concertos for Philips, these early recordings have retained their freshness and originality. For many record collectors, the budget price Turnabout label provided a happy hunting ground for those who sought out unusual repertoire. The parent company Vox also had the vision to ask the relatively unknown Brendel to undertake the huge project of recording all the Beethoven Sonatas, Variations and Piano Concertos. These recordings document the artist as a young man at the outset of his extraordinary journey, and in repertoire that will always be closely associated with him. They also stand comparison with his later interpretations of Beethoven.