About this Release
“All the sonatas in Volume Four of this complete cycle date from 1784. Characteristically, Koželuch delivers an impressive panoply of styles and textures: at one moment doffing his hat to C.P.E. Bach with a stirring Sturm und Drang opening to the Sonata Op.10, No. 2 and, at the next, emulating early Haydn in the Sonata Op. 13, No. 2. If this were not contrast enough, we can luxuriate in a typically divine - but unusually expansive - slow movement in the Sonata Op. 13, No. 3 and once again marvel at Koželuch ’s propensity to foreshadow in the Beethovenian opening to the Sonata Op. 15, No. 1 - definitely one of the highlights of the set.” — Kemp English
KOŽELUCH, LEOPOLD (1747–1818)
Complete Keyboard Sonatas • 4
Nos. 12–16
- Kemp English, fortepiano
A native of Bohemia, Leopold Koželuch made his name in Vienna, a thriving musical centre dubbed ‘the land of the Clavier’ by Mozart. the sonatas in this volume all appeared in 1784, meeting the challenge of Mozart’s popularity head-on. Koželuch was singularly adept at producing what was considered the ideal fortepiano sonata of the time, his high reputation making him an influential supporter of a new instrument capable of accommodating ‘the clarity, the delicacy, the light and shade he demanded in music’.
This recording was made on a period instrument: Fortepiano by Thomas and Barbara Wolf (USA), after Anton Walter (c. 1795)
Tracklist
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Piano Sonata in C Major, Op. 10, No. 2, P. XII:16 (1784) (00:15:30 )
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1
I. Moderato * (00:06:36)
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2
II. Andante espressivo * (00:05:01)
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3
III. Rondeau: Allegretto * (00:03:52)
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Piano Sonata in E-Flat Major, Op. 13, No. 1, P. XII:3 (1784) (00:16:11 )
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4
I. Allegro molto * (00:06:41)
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5
II. Poco adagio * (00:05:31)
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6
III. Rondeau: Presto * (00:04:03)
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Piano Sonata in G Major, Op. 13, No. 2, P. XII:7 (1784) (00:13:04 )
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7
I. Allegro * (00:04:48)
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8
II. Andante * (00:04:35)
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9
III. Rondeau * (00:03:43)
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Piano Sonata in E Minor, Op. 13, No. 3, P. XII:6 (1784) (00:15:42 )
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10
I. Allegro molto * (00:06:02)
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11
II. Cantabile * (00:06:11)
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12
III. Presto * (00:03:32)
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Piano Sonata in G Minor, Op. 15, No. 1, P. XII:17 () (00:13:30 )
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13
I. Largo - Allegro molto (00:09:13)
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14
II. Rondeau: Allegro (00:04:36)
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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. Reviews
“I have been well and truly hooked by the music as well as by Kemp English’s superlative playing.” – MusicWeb International
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
