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Beethoven: Moonlight, Tempest & Waldstein Piano Sonatas

8/11/2023, 10 Tracks, 1:05:09

Featuring

  • Julian Jacobson
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

Did you know?

1/7

Composer's Artistic Vision

Beethoven, a colossus as both pianist and improviser, found the piano to be his most natural means of expression.

Source: Booklet

Compositional Technique

For the 'Waldstein' Sonata, Beethoven originally composed a lengthy slow movement but replaced it with a shorter 'Introduzione' that leads into the finale, publishing the original separately as the popular 'Andante favori'.

Source: Booklet

Composition History

The 'Moonlight' Sonata's nickname was not given by Beethoven, but arose years after his death when critic Ludwig Rellstab compared the opening to moonlight over Lake Lucerne.

Source: Booklet

Composition History

The 'Tempest' Sonata's nickname came from Beethoven's reported suggestion to his secretary Anton Schindler to 'Just read Shakespeare's 'Tempest'' when asked about its meaning.

Source: Booklet

Composition History

The 'Waldstein' Sonata is named after its dedicatee, Count Ferdinand Ernst von Waldstein, who was apparently the first person to fully appreciate Beethoven's genius.

Source: Booklet

Performer Biography

Julian Jacobson, the pianist on this recording, has performed the complete Beethoven sonata cycle ten times, including three 'marathon' performances where he played the entire cycle from memory in a single day.

Source: Booklet

Composer Biography

Beethoven's 32 opus-numbered piano sonatas are considered the most important and beloved body of music ever composed for the piano.

Source: Booklet

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Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Op.27 No.1 & 2, Op.31 No.2 & Op.53
Beethoven: Sonatas Opp.7, 14 & 22
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 7
Beethoven: The Late Piano Sonatas
Beethoven: The Late Piano Sonatas
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 11-13, 15, 22 & 27
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 9-11, 16-18
Beethoven: 3 piano sonatas, op. 2 on Schantz Fortepiano
Beethoven: Moonlight, Waldstein & Storm
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