Composer: Franz Joseph Haydn
Performer: Leon McCawley
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Somm
Catalogue: SOMMCD0643
Release: 2021
Size: 1.05 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Piano Sonata No. 48 in C major, Hob.XVI:35
01. I. Allegro con brio
02. II. Adagio
03. III. Finale. Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 1 in G major, Hob.XVI:8
04. I. Allegro
05. II. Menuet
06. III. Andante
07. IV. Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 35 in A flat major, Hob.XVI:43
08. I. Moderato
09. II. Menuetto & Trio
10. III. Rondo. Presto
Piano Sonata No. 49 in C sharp minor, Hob.XVI:36
11. I. Moderato
12. II. Scherzando. Allegro con brio
13. III. Menuet & Trio. Moderato
Piano Sonata No. 51 in E flat major, Hob.XVI:38
14. I. Allegro moderato
15. II. Adagio
16. III. Finale. Allegro
Piano Sonata No. 30 in D major, Hob.XVI:19
17. I. Moderato
18. II. Andante
19. III. Finale. Allegro assai
The fourth volume in Leon McCawley’s much-praised series of Franz Joseph Haydn’s Keyboard Sonatas. Six Sonatas spanning the years 1766-80 are featured: the earliest the miniature First Sonata in G major, the latest the E-flat major Sonata No. 51, while Robert Matthew-Walker’s fascinating booklet note charts how deftly Haydn balanced the expectations of others and his own creative ambition. “Intended more to entertain than engage the intellect”, the fleet, divertimento-like First Sonata seems to anticipate the pedagogical leanings of Bartók’s Mikrokosmos more than a century and half later.
With its unabashed galant style, the D major-led Sonata No. 30 is “Papa” Haydn at his most quicksilver brilliant and delightful, while Sonata No. 35, in A-flat major – “a masterpiece of piano writing” – displays striking characteristics of early Romanticism.
Composed with the enhanced voice of the then newly available fortepiano in mind, sibling Sonata No. 48 in C major and No. 49 in C-sharp minor maintain a winning Classical poise even as one surprise after another see Haydn pushing the sonata form in new and unexpected directions.