This album is part of Jonathan Biss's nine-year, nine-album project to record the complete cycle of Beethoven's piano sonatas, which began in 2011.
Compositional Technique
Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 4, Op. 7, is one of his longest sonatas, with few symphonies composed by that time being as long or ambitious.
Composer Biography
Beethoven considered his Piano Sonata No. 24, Op. 78, a special favorite, despite writing only four piano sonatas in the decade it was composed due to personal difficulties and a search for a new style.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Beethoven's sonatas consistently confound expectations, demonstrating the sonata form's ability to accommodate his restless musical imagination.
Performer Biography
Pianist Jonathan Biss is the son of violist and violinist Paul Biss and violinist Miriam Fried, and grandson of cellist Raya Garbousova, for whom Samuel Barber composed his cello concerto.
Performer Biography
Jonathan Biss studied with Leon Fleisher at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia and made his New York recital debut at age 20.
Performer Biography
Jonathan Biss was the first American to be named a BBC New Generation Artist.
