About this Release
“The relative unfamiliarity of Daniel Gottlob Türk (1750–1813) in contemporary dialogue stands in marked contrast with the popularity of his forty–eight keyboard sonatas at the end of the eighteenth century. Türk’s six kenner sonatas – published the same year as his famous musical treatise, Klavierschule (1789) – provide the performer with excellent opportunities to display virtuosity in conjunction with expressiveness and stylistic sophistication. It was particularly exhilarating to record these works on four historical keyboards from the Collection of Instruments of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.” — Michael Tsalka
TÜRK, DANIEL GOTTLOB (1750–1813)
Six Keyboard Sonatas for Connoisseurs (1789)
- Michael Tsalka, piano
Daniel Gottlob Türk was a North German composer, performer, theorist and pedagogue whose Klavierschule remains a vital source for late 18th century keyboard practice. Türk saw the keyboard sonata as the perfect medium for expressing the boldest and most experimental of ideas, and the Klaviersonaten Grössentheils für Kenner was his only collection dedicated to professional players. Symphonic novelties, exquisite polyphony and extreme contrasts of character and register are vividly brought to life on four historical keyboards from the Department of Musical Instruments at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
This recording was made on period instruments:
Sonata No. 1: Fortepiano by Conrad Graf (Vienna, Austria, ca. 1838);
Sonata No. 2: Clavichord by Christian Kintzing (Neuwied, Germany, 1763);
Sonatas Nos. 3 & 4: Grand Piano by Ferdinand Hofmann (Vienna, Austria, ca. 1790);
Sonata No. 5 and Sinfonia No. 6: Grand Piano, attr. to Johann Schmidt (Salzburg, Austria, ca. 1790–95)
Tracklist
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6 Keyboard Sonatas for Connoisseurs: Sonata No. 1 in A Minor () (00:10:31 )
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1
I. Allegro assai e con spirito (00:03:33)
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2
II. Poco adagio, patetico e sostenuto (00:03:12)
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3
III. Allegro di molto e con fuoco (00:03:42)
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6 Keyboard Sonatas for Connoisseurs: Sonata No. 2 in E-Flat Major () (00:05:41 )
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4
I. Poco allegro e grazioso (00:02:42)
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5
II. Adagio cantabile e sempre piano (00:01:40)
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6
III. Allegro poco vivo (00:01:20)
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6 Keyboard Sonatas for Connoisseurs: Sonata No. 3 in B Minor () (00:12:02 )
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7
I. Allegro con espressione (00:06:09)
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8
II. Adagio cantabile e sempre piano (00:02:16)
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9
III. Allegro poco vivo (00:03:39)
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6 Keyboard Sonatas for Connoisseurs: Sonata No. 4 in G Major () (00:11:04 )
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10
I. [Allegro] (00:04:39)
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11
II. Grave e pomposo (00:02:25)
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12
III. Allegro assai (00:04:01)
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6 Keyboard Sonatas for Connoisseurs: Sonata No. 5 in B-Flat Major () (00:10:41 )
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13
I. Moderato assai e grazioso (00:05:42)
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14
II. Largo (00:01:57)
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15
III. Allegro scherzando (00:03:03)
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6 Keyboard Sonatas for Connoisseurs: Sinfonia No. 6 in C major (1789) (00:09:32 )
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16
I. Presto (00:04:41)
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17
II. Andante più tosto - Allegretto (00:02:30)
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18
III. Finale: Allegro assai (00:02:24)
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The Artist(s)
Pianist and Early Keyboard performer Michael Tsalka has won numerous prizes in Europe, the United States, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America. A versatile musician, he performs repertoire from the early Baroque to the present day with equal virtuosity. The Composer(s)
Today, Türk remains best known for his extensive and extremely detailed musical treatise, Klavierschule (1789), one of the most important sources for keyboard performance practice of the late 18th century. He is also well-known among piano teachers as the composer of a collection of useful keyboard miniatures, the Kleine Handstücke für angehende Klavierspieler, which systematically prepare beginning students for the many challenges of more advanced repertoire. Reviews
“Tsalka’s performances, with subtle and tasteful ornamentation, are a special treat…” – MusicWeb International
“On the whole this is strong, tasteful playing.” – American Record Guide
“The marvellous authenticity of Tsalka’s intimately expressive yet deeply intellectual performances here are a compelling testimony to an unjustly forgotten polymath.” – artmusicreviews.co.uk
Also Available
Grand Piano has gained a reputation for producing high quality recordings of rare keyboard gems. Dedicated to the exploration of undiscovered piano repertoire, the label specialises in complete cycles of piano works by many lesser-known composers, whose output might otherwise have remained unknown and unrecorded.
- info@grandpianorecords.com
