Beethoven: Sonatas for Fortepiano and Violin Volume 1

Featuring

Ian Watson
Susanna Ogata
Ludwig van Beethoven

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Instruments

Ian Watson performs on a fortepiano built by Paul McNulty in 2000, modeled after the instruments of Anton Walter, a renowned Viennese fortepiano maker praised by Mozart and Beethoven.

Performer Biography

Susanna Ogata, the violinist, is a tenured member and Assistant Concertmaster of the Handel and Haydn Society and is dedicated to performing on historical instruments.

Instruments

Susanna Ogata plays a Joseph Klotz violin built in 1772; the Klotz family of Mittenwald, Germany, were highly regarded instrument makers, and Mozart likely played one of their instruments.

Recording & Production

This recording was made at Mechanics Hall in Worcester, MA, USA, from June 7-9, 2014, with Jesse Lewis as producer and engineer.

Composer Biography

Beethoven's ten sonatas for 'Fortepiano and Violin' showcase the height of artistry in this form, with nine of them written between 1798 and 1803.

Interpretation

The performers, Susanna Ogata and Ian Watson, believe using period instruments helps them better understand Beethoven's original artistic vision and recreate the emotions of the sonatas' first performances.

Performer Biography

Ian Watson, the fortepianist, has been praised as a 'world-class soloist' and 'conductor of formidable ability,' and was appointed Resident Conductor of Boston's Handel and Haydn Society in 2014.