Jonathan Biss, the pianist on this album, is co-Artistic Director of Marlboro Music, a renowned chamber music festival, and the Neubauer Family Chair in Piano Studies at the Curtis Institute of Music.
Compositional Technique
Beethoven's Piano Sonata Op.2 No.1 uses the 'Mannheim Rocket', a conventional upward arpeggio, which was considered old-fashioned by Haydn, to whom the sonata was dedicated.
Critical Reception
Beethoven's conviction that his 'Appassionata' Sonata was special has been confirmed by two hundred years of listeners, despite his personal favorites often being less frequently heard today.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Beethoven's use of a four-movement structure in his Piano Sonata Op.2 No.1, previously reserved for symphonies, was a powerful statement of his ambition for the sonata genre.
Recording & Production
This album is part of Jonathan Biss's nine-year, nine-album project to record the complete cycle of Beethoven's piano sonatas, which began in 2011.
Performer Biography
Jonathan Biss is the son of violist and violinist Paul Biss and violinist Miriam Fried, and the grandson of cellist Raya Garbousova, for whom Samuel Barber composed his cello concerto.
Compositional Technique
The first movement of Beethoven's 'Appassionata' Sonata is built from just its opening theme and a four-note motive, showcasing the composer's command of musical structure with minimal raw materials.
