Haydn spent many years earning a living by teaching and playing the violin or keyboard, and was an assistant to the old musician Porpora.
During Haydn's time, keyboard instruments were changing, with the harpsichord and clavichord gradually being replaced by the hammer-action fortepiano.
Jeno Jandó, the Hungarian pianist, has won several piano competitions, including first prize in the 1973 Hungarian Piano Concours.
Joseph Haydn, the composer, was born in 1732 in the village of Rohrau, the son of a wheelwright.
The classical keyboard sonata developed during the 18th century, with changes in its form and content occurring throughout Haydn's lifetime.
Haydn was employed by the Esterhazy family, one of the richest in the Empire, from 1761, remaining in their service for most of his life.
The sonatas on this album (Hob. XVI: 21-26) were written in 1773 and published the following year, dedicated to Prince Nikolaus Esterhazy.
