The Romantics, Vol. 21: Beethoven Piano Sonatas, Opp. 78, 81a, 90 & 101
2/3/2015, 9 Tracks, 1:02:07
Featuring
Penelope Crawford
Ludwig van Beethoven
Did you know?
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Composer's Artistic Vision
Beethoven's cycle of 32 piano sonatas, composed between 1796 and 1824, transformed the genre and reflected the expansion of the fortepiano's capabilities.
Performer Biography
Penelope Crawford, the fortepiano performer on this album, is internationally acclaimed as one of America's master performers on historical keyboard instruments.
Instruments
The fortepiano used for this recording is a Conrad Graf from Vienna, built in 1835.
Composer Biography
Beethoven's initial fame in Vienna was as an unparalleled improviser on the fortepiano.
Historical Context
The four sonatas on this CD were composed during the Napoleonic wars, which led to an oppressive police state in Vienna after Napoleon's defeat.
Compositional Technique
Beethoven's piano sonatas served as a 'compositional laboratory' for him, directly revealing his developing musical thought and working process.
Performer Biography
Penelope Crawford's recording of Beethoven's last three piano sonatas won the 2011 'Record of the Year Award' from Music Web International.
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Beethoven - Complete Piano Sonatas
Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas (Live)
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 14, 20, 23 & 30
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 4, 6, 7 & 8 "Pathétique"
