IDAGIO | Beethoven, L. Van: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 4 (Biret)

Featuring

Idil Biret
Ludwig van Beethoven

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Composition History

Beethoven's publisher Cranz gave the Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57, the name 'Appassionata'.

Performer Biography

Idil Biret, the pianist on this album, began playing piano at age three and studied at the Paris Conservatoire, graduating at fifteen with three first prizes.

Composer Biography

Beethoven once told his friend Ferdinand Ries that a theme for the last movement of the 'Appassionata' had occurred to him, causing him to rush home to his piano to work on it.

Composition History

Sonata No. 28 in A major, Op. 101, is dedicated to Baroness Dorothea Ertmann, known for her sensitive interpretations of Beethoven's sonatas.

Compositional Technique

In Sonata No. 28, Op. 101, the word 'Pianoforte' is replaced for the first time by the German 'Hammerklavier', indicating the piano action.

Composition History

Beethoven's 'Appassionata' Sonata, Op. 57, has its basis in opera, with sketches found in the 'Leonore' sketchbook for his opera Fidelio.

Composer Biography

Beethoven once expressed his intention to abandon traditional tempo markings like allegro and adagio, favoring Mälzel's metronome instead, though he did not fully follow through.