Franz Joseph Haydn: Sonatas, Vol.4
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SOMM Recordings is pleased to announce the fourth volume in Leon
McCawley’s much praised series of Franz Joseph Haydn’s Piano 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 Sonatas Nos.48 (C major) and 49 (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.