Haydn: Early Divertimento Sonatas for Keyboard, Nos. 1-20

Featuring

Ronald Brautigam
Joseph Haydn

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Compositional Technique

Haydn, like many composers of his era, often left the choice of keyboard instrument open, indicating that his music could be performed on various instruments, including harpsichord or fortepiano.

Composition History

Many of the early sonatas on this album are considered 'Liebhaber-Sonaten' (Amateur Sonatas), meaning they were relatively simple and intended for students and dilettantes.

Compositional Technique

Some early editions of Haydn's sonatas, with his consent, included the subtitle 'avec violon ad libitum' (with optional violin), showing flexibility in performance.

Instruments

Ronald Brautigam performs on a fortepiano by Paul McNulty, made in 1992, which is modeled after an instrument by Anton Gabriel Walter from around 1795.

Composer Biography

Joseph Haydn lived more than twice as long as Mozart, and his life spanned from the middle of Bach and Handel's careers to after Beethoven had composed his 'Pastoral' Symphony.

Composition History

The authenticity of many of Haydn's early piano sonatas is debated among scholars, with some works being lost or their authorship questioned.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Haydn's piano sonatas reflect his process of freeing himself from the influence of Viennese composer Georg Christoph Wagenseil, who contributed significantly to sonata form.