IDAGIO | Chopin: Piano Sonata No. 2, Op. 35 "Funeral March" - Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 29, Op. 106 "Hammerklavier" 5054197897689

Featuring

Beatrice Rana
Frédéric Chopin
Ludwig van Beethoven

Did you know?

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Interpretation

Beatrice Rana decided to learn Beethoven's 'Hammerklavier' Sonata during lockdown as a personal experiment, without initial ambitions to perform it publicly.

Album & Artwork

This album uniquely pairs Beethoven's 'Hammerklavier' Sonata and Chopin's 'Funeral March' Sonata, a combination rarely, if ever, seen on the same recording.

Performer Biography

Beatrice Rana, the pianist on this album, had not performed a Beethoven sonata in public for over ten years prior to this recording.

Instruments

Beatrice Rana's experience with period instruments like the Érard or Pleyel helped her understand Chopin's original pedalling, which was more about color than resonance on older pianos.

Interpretation

Beatrice Rana believes that following Chopin's dynamic indications is not always the best approach, as he frequently changed his mind, and a 'translation' is needed for modern pianos.

Compositional Technique

The final movements of both Beethoven's 'Hammerklavier' and Chopin's Sonata No. 2 are described as high-level experiments, with Beethoven's featuring a complex fugue and Chopin's having parallel hands throughout.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Chopin's Sonata No. 2, featured on this album, comes from a period when he was experimenting with sound, harmonies, and structure, making it very adventurous and visionary.