The 'Waldstein' Sonata is dedicated to Count Waldstein, an Austrian nobleman and politician who had supported Beethoven in Bonn and predicted his great career.
Instruments
Beethoven's 'Waldstein' Sonata was written for a new grand piano with a larger range and a new dampening mechanism, which allowed for completely new tonal possibilities.
Compositional Technique
The 'Waldstein' Sonata is Beethoven's first sonata to meticulously notate pedal markings, taking advantage of the new dampening mechanism of contemporary pianos.
Composition History
Franz Liszt wrote only one piano sonata, the Sonata in B minor featured on this album, composed fifty years after Beethoven's 'Waldstein' Sonata.
Composer Biography
Both Ludwig van Beethoven and Franz Liszt were exceptional improvisers, known for creating and developing themes spontaneously and telling musical stories.
Performer Biography
Yuxing Chen, the pianist on this album, began playing piano at age seven in China and later moved to Germany for his advanced musical education.
Composition History
Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 21, 'Waldstein', was composed around the same time as his Symphony No. 3, the 'Eroica', which he considered his greatest work to date.
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