This album was recorded in Steingraeber & Söhne, Bayreuth, Germany, from December 18th to 21st, 2019, using a Steingraeber (Bayreuth) Concert Grand Piano model E.
Composition History
Haydn's 'Gott erhalte den Kaiser' Variations were a commissioned tribute to Francis the Second, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire and Austrian Empire, inspired by the British national anthem 'God Save the King'.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Haydn's Piano Sonatas are believed by some to eclipse Mozart's in both number and quality, with their unique blend of ambiguity, twists, and turns.
Performer Biography
Peter Donohoe, born in Manchester in 1953, is an acclaimed pianist known for his musicianship, stylistic versatility, and commanding technique, having studied with Olivier Messiaen and Yvonne Loriod.
Critical Reception
The nickname 'Papa' Haydn is considered a cliché that disregards his innovative contributions and reduces him to a minor figure.
Critical Reception
Haydn's music has been subject to controversial critical opinion throughout history, with some critics dismissing him as a 'musical trickster' while others, like Mozart, praised his genius.
