Tessa Uys and Ben Schoeman, the piano duo on this album, are currently recording the complete Beethoven/Scharwenka Symphonies for SOMM Recordings.
Recording & Production
This album features the first recordings of Franz Xaver Scharwenka's arrangements of Beethoven's Symphonies 1 and 6 for piano duet.
Compositional Technique
Beethoven's First Symphony uniquely begins with a cadence in a key other than its home key of C major, a first in symphonic history.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Beethoven's Sixth Symphony, known as the 'Pastoral' Symphony, is described by the composer as 'more an expression of feeling than of painting', indicating its narrative but non-programmatic nature.
Composition History
Beethoven's First Symphony, completed in 1800, was the culmination of eight years of masterworks he produced after settling in Vienna.
Composer Biography
As a young man, Beethoven met and played for Mozart, who was astonished and predicted, 'Some day, this young man will make a great noise in the world'.
Historical Context
Beethoven was the first great composer never to hold an official position, maintaining his independence as an artist throughout his life.
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Beethoven: Music for Piano Four Hands
Beethoven Dialogues
Beethoven: Symphonies, Vol. 5
Originals and Beyond
Beethoven: Complete Works for Piano Duet
Beethoven und Schubert hoch zwei
Franz Schubert: Works for Piano 4 Hands
Beethoven and His Teachers
Schubert Works For Piano Four-Hands
Ludwig van Beethoven: Works for Piano Duet
Heinrich von Herzogenberg: Complete Variations for Piano Four Hands
