KOŽELUCH, LEOPOLD (1747–1818)

Complete Keyboard Sonatas • 3

Nos. 9–11

Kemp English, fortepiano

Mozart’s esteemed contemporary and rival, Leopold Koželuch, was an early champion of the fortepiano. His keyboard sonatas are a treasure trove of late 18th-century Viennese style, representing perfection of form and foreshadowing Beethoven and Schubert. Kemp English, one of New Zealand’s leading artists, performs on copies of 1795 fortepianos and original instruments from the 18th and early 19th centuries, bringing the entire cycle of Koželuch’s 50 keyboard sonatas to life for the first time in a recorded format.

This recording was made on a period instrument: Fortepiano by Thomas and Barbara Wolf (USA), after Anton Walter (c. 1795)

Tracklist

Piano Sonata in C Major, Op. 8, No. 1, P. XII:5 (1784 (ca.)) (00:17:58 )

I. Allegro molto (00:04:47)

II. Adagio cantabile (00:06:39)

III. Rondeau (00:03:44)

III. Rondo: Andante (alternative version) (00:02:53)

Piano Sonata in F Major, Op. 8, No. 2, P. XII:4 (1784 (ca.)) (00:14:49 )

I. Allegretto maestoso (00:05:36)

II. Poco adagio (00:04:48)

III. Menuetto (00:04:40)

III. Aria con variatione (alternative version) (00:08:46)

Piano Sonata in E-Flat Major, Op. 10, No. 1, P. XII:15 () (00:18:05 )

I. Allegro molto (00:08:06)

II. Andante (00:05:41)

III. Allegretto (00:04:17)

World Première Recording

Total Time: 00:59:57

The Artist(s)

Kemp English is one of New Zealand’s leading concert performers. Much in demand as a solo organist, collaborative pianist, and specialist fortepiano exponent, he relishes the opportunity to work in a diverse array of styles and periods. He enjoyed a distinguished studentship at the Royal Academy of Music in London and later completed a Master of Arts degree in Music Performance at the University of York. In 2001 he was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music—an honour recognising former students of the Academy who have achieved distinction in the profession.

The Composer(s)

Leopold Koželuch was an esteemed contemporary of Mozart, and in many circles considered the finer composer. He was an early champion of the fortepiano and his Keyboard Sonatas are a treasure trove of late eighteenth-century Viennese keyboard style, including perfect examples of the form and foreshadowing Beethoven and Schubert.