The fortepiano used for this recording is a restored 1810 Mathias Müller instrument, chosen for its ability to sound both classical and romantic, and its six-octave range.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Anton Eberl's innovative approach and the complexity of his writing made him famous in his time, but also difficult to classify, as he explored early romanticism while Beethoven remained classical.
Critical Reception
Several of Anton Eberl's early works were mistakenly attributed to Mozart, including a set of variations that was published fourteen times under Mozart's name.
Compositional Technique
Anton Eberl paid such close attention to the specific sound qualities of instruments that his music is often not satisfactorily performed on modern instruments.
Performer Biography
Trio Van Hengel, founded in 2001, won three prizes at the International Van Wassenaer Competition in its founding year and has performed throughout Europe.
Critical Reception
In 1805, a critic preferred Anton Eberl's Symphony Op. 33 over Beethoven's Eroica symphony, suggesting Beethoven should learn from Eberl's clarity and unity.
Composer Biography
Anton Eberl, the composer, began his musical career in the theater after his father's bankruptcy prevented him from studying law.
