About this Release
“It is tempting to think that Koželuch became a little complacent after some thirty-odd piano sonatas, but nothing could be further from the truth. The pianistic triumph that is Sonata 36 marks a steady coming of age for the pianist/composer. Indeed, all three of the opening movements to the sonatas that make up Op. 38 no longer pander to the dilletante, instead, they consistently forge ahead with a technical wizardry worthy of Mr ‘mechanicus’ himself, Muzio Clementi. And yet, just as Mozart’s calumny of Clementi has been called into question, Koželuch’s fireworks are not simply vapid note crunchings, but a serious engagement with patterns and technical challenges that pave the way for Beethoven’s finger defying challenges. After such intensity, the little harpsichord sonata No. 37 comes as a welcome blast from the past; an after dinner mint of perfect proportions.” — Kemp English
KOŽELUCH, LEOPOLD (1747–1818)
Complete Keyboard Sonatas • 9
Nos. 33–37
- Kemp English, harpsichord
As in every other volume of this complete cycle, the Ninth is full of contrasts, no more so than between the Sturm und Drang proportions of Sonata No. 36 and the simple yet beautiful style galant of No. 37. Foretastes of Koželuch’s Scottish song settings can be heard in Sonatas Nos. 33 and 35 while the slow movements of Nos. 34 and 35 are notable for their lyrical beauty.
This recording was made on period instruments:
Fortepiano by Paul Downie (NZ), after Anton Walter (c. 1795) (Tracks 1–10);
Harpsichord by Longman and Broderip (built by Thomas Culliford), 1785 (Tracks 11–13)
Tracklist
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Piano Sonata in G Minor, Op. 35, No. 3, P. XII:34 () (00:16:21 )
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1
I. Largo - Allegro agitato * (00:10:20)
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2
II. Allegretto * (00:05:58)
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Piano Sonata in E-Flat Major, Op. 38, No. 1, P. XII:35 (1791) (00:18:30 )
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3
I. Allegro * (00:09:55)
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4
II. Adagio * (00:02:53)
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5
III. Rondeau: Allegro molto * (00:05:43)
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Piano Sonata in C Major, Op. 38, No. 2, P. XII:36 (1793) (00:15:08 )
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6
I. Allegro (00:07:52)
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7
II. Adagio (00:02:55)
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8
III. Rondeau: Allegretto (00:04:22)
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Piano Sonata in F Minor, Op. 38, No. 3, P. XII:37 () (00:15:01 )
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9
I. Largo - Allegro agitato (00:12:26)
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10
II. Allegretto (00:06:09)
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Piano Sonata in G Major, P. XII:50 (1807) (00:06:15 )
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11
I. Moderato * (00:02:12)
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12
II. Menuetto * (00:02:31)
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13
III. Allegro * (00:01:42)
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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. 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
