Beethoven: Piano Pieces & Fragments

Featuring

Sergio Gallo
Ludwig van Beethoven
Johann Mattheson

Did you know?

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Composition History

The famous Bagatelle in A minor, 'Für Elise', was originally untitled and found among the papers of Therese von Malfatti, suggesting it was a memento for 'Therese'.

Album & Artwork

This album offers a rare opportunity to hear 36 of Ludwig van Beethoven's lesser-known sketches, variations, and brief compositions, including world premiere recordings.

Composer Biography

Beethoven's early fragments reflect his lasting interest in counterpoint, which he studied with Albrechtsberger, and his self-education during his early Vienna period.

Performer Biography

Sergio Gallo, the pianist on this album, specializes in Romantic repertoire and has championed Brazilian composers, winning a Global Music Award of Excellence for his album 'Mostly Villa-Lobos'.

Composer Biography

Many of Beethoven's piano pieces on this album remained without an Opus number, listed as WoO (Werke ohne Opuszahl) in a catalogue by Georg Kinsky and Hans Halm.

Composition History

Beethoven's 13 Variations on 'Es war einmal ein alter Mann' uses a theme from Dittersdorf's opera Das rothe Käppchen, which Beethoven likely performed in Bonn in 1791-92.

Composition History

Beethoven composed cadenzas for Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 20, likely for his disciple Ferdinand Ries, and also for the piano transcription of his own Violin Concerto, Op. 61.