Beethoven: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 2 Jean-Efflam Bavouzet

• Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827): Piano Sonata, Op. 22:
• 1Beethoven: Piano Sonata, Op. 22: I. Allegro con brio07:28
• 2Beethoven: Piano Sonata, Op. 22: II. Adagio con molta espressione07:27
• 3Beethoven: Piano Sonata, Op. 22: III. Minuetto - Minore - Minuetto D.C. senza replica03:28
• 4Beethoven: Piano Sonata, Op. 22: IV. Rondo. Allegretto06:09
• Piano Sonata, Op. 26 "Grande Sonate":
• 5Beethoven: Piano Sonata, Op. 26 "Grande Sonate": I. Andante con Variazioni08:24
• 6Beethoven: Piano Sonata, Op. 26 "Grande Sonate": II. Scherzo. La prima parte senza repetizione. Allegro molto02:57
• 7Beethoven: Piano Sonata, Op. 26 "Grande Sonate": III. Marcia funebre sulla morte d'un Eroe05:38
• 8Beethoven: Piano Sonata, Op. 26 "Grande Sonate": IV. Allegro02:54
• Piano Sonata quasi una fantasia, Op. 27 No. 1:
• 9Beethoven: Piano Sonata quasi una fantasia, Op. 27 No. 1: I. Andante - Allegro04:52
• 10Beethoven: Piano Sonata quasi una fantasia, Op. 27 No. 1: II. Allegro molto e vivace02:10
• 11Beethoven: Piano Sonata quasi una fantasia, Op. 27 No. 1: III. Adagio con espressione03:03
• 12Beethoven: Piano Sonata quasi una fantasia, Op. 27 No. 1: IV. Allegro vivace - Tempo I - Presto05:44
• Piano Sonata quasi una fantasia, Op. 27 No. 2 "Moonlight":
• 13Beethoven: Piano Sonata quasi una fantasia, Op. 27 No. 2 "Moonlight": I. Adagio sostenuto. Si deve suonare tutto questo05:46
• 14Beethoven: Piano Sonata quasi una fantasia, Op. 27 No. 2 "Moonlight": II. Allegretto. La prima parte solamente una volta02:34
• 15Beethoven: Piano Sonata quasi una fantasia, Op. 27 No. 2 "Moonlight": III. Presto agitato - Adagio - Tempo I07:33
• Piano Sonata, Op. 31 No. 1:
• 16Beethoven: Piano Sonata, Op. 31 No. 1: I. Allegro vivace06:38
• 17Beethoven: Piano Sonata, Op. 31 No. 1: II. Adagio grazioso10:00
• 18Beethoven: Piano Sonata, Op. 31 No. 1: III. Rondo. Allegretto - Adagio06:47
• Piano Sonata, Op. 31 No. 2 "Tempest":
• 19Beethoven: Piano Sonata, Op. 31 No. 2 "Tempest": I. Largo - Allegro - Adagio - Largo - Allegro - Largo - Allegro08:28
• 20Beethoven: Piano Sonata, Op. 31 No. 2 "Tempest": II. Adagio07:51
• 21Beethoven: Piano Sonata, Op. 31 No. 2 "Tempest": III. Allegretto06:48
• Piano Sonata, Op. 31 No. 3:
• 22Beethoven: Piano Sonata, Op. 31 No. 3: I. Allegro08:12
• 23Beethoven: Piano Sonata, Op. 31 No. 3: II. Scherzo. Allegretto vivace05:23
• 24Beethoven: Piano Sonata, Op. 31 No. 3: III. Menuetto. Moderato e grazioso - Trio - Coda04:27
• 25Beethoven: Piano Sonata, Op. 31 No. 3: IV. Presto con fuoco04:32
• Piano Sonata, Op. 28 "Pastoral":
• 26Beethoven: Piano Sonata, Op. 28 "Pastoral": I. Allegro - Adagio10:30
• 27Beethoven: Piano Sonata, Op. 28 "Pastoral": II. Andante06:17
• 28Beethoven: Piano Sonata, Op. 28 "Pastoral": III. Scherzo. Allegro vivace - Trio. La seconda parte una volta02:29
• 29Beethoven: Piano Sonata, Op. 28 "Pastoral": IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non troppo - Più Allegro quasi Presto05:19
• Piano Sonata, Op. 49 No. 1 "Sonate facile":
• 30Beethoven: Piano Sonata, Op. 49 No. 1 "Sonate facile": I. Andante04:02
• 31Beethoven: Piano Sonata, Op. 49 No. 1 "Sonate facile": II. Rondo. Allegro03:32
• 32Beethoven: Piano Sonata, Op. 49 No. 2 "Sonate facile": I. Allegro, ma non troppo04:23
• 33Beethoven: Piano Sonata, Op. 49 No. 2 "Sonate facile": II. Tempo di Menuetto03:27
• Piano Sonata, Op. 53 "Waldstein":
• 34Beethoven: Piano Sonata, Op. 53 "Waldstein": I. Allegro con brio10:28
• 35Beethoven: Piano Sonata, Op. 53 "Waldstein": II. Introduzione. Adagio molto03:37
• 36Beethoven: Piano Sonata, Op. 53 "Waldstein": III. Rondo. Allegretto moderato - Prestissimo10:01
• Ludwig van Beethoven:
• 37Beethoven: Andante, WoO 57 "Andante favori"08:16
• Total Runtime03:37:34

Info for Beethoven: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 2

Jean-Efflam Bavouzet returns for the second volume of his survey of Beethoven’s Piano Sonatas. The project, set to conclude with Vol. 3 in 2014, runs alongside his complete recording of Haydn’s Piano Sonatas. Vol. 1 of the Beethoven series was critically acclaimed, BBC Music calling the performances ‘distinguished and virtuosic’ and Fanfare remarking that ‘his readings will withstand the test of time’. In this release Bavouzet performs the sonatas published between 1800 and 1804.

This period marked a transitional stage in Beethoven’s work and the arrival of his middle period. Included are the two Op. 27 sonatas, both modified ‘quasi una fantasia’ that break away from traditional forms. One of these, the ‘Moonlight’ Sonata, features one of his best-known movements, the opening Adagio sostenuto, which unfolds like a baroque prelude with its famous rolling triplets and lamenting melody. The ‘Waldstein’ Sonata, Op. 53 is one of the glories of Beethoven’s middle period and surpasses all his previous sonatas in scope and scale. Also recorded here is the Andante in F, a piece originally intended as the slow movement to the ‘Waldstein’. Although later replaced by a shorter Adagio molto this is a charming piece in its own right and quickly became one of Beethoven’s most popular works after being published alone as the Andante favori.

"he plays a rich-sounding modern instrument, and Chandos supplies its usual feather-bed acoustic. Yet whenever there's a chance to be abrasive, Bavouzet seizes it, and he relishes the opportunities Beethoven gives him to sound wispy and 'French'." (BBC Music Magazine)

"Bavouzet proves he has the elegance for the early sonatas and the pianistic command for Beethoven’s larger forms...The “Moonlight” radiates mystery and momentum, the “Tempest” has fabulous intensity (and a graceful touch), while the “Waldstein” is treated to a performance of unmitigated rapture." (Financial Times)

"This second volume is lucid yet intense in the poised Opus 31 sonatas and vital in the 'Waldstein." (Gramophone Magazine)

Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, piano

Jean-Efflam Bavouzet

French pianist Jean-Efflam Bavouzet combines a rare elegance and clarity in his playing with deep and thoughtful musicality, for which he continues to win the highest acclaim from both critics and audiences.

Recent engagements for Bavouzet have included appearances with the London Symphony Orchestra, The Cleveland and Philharmonia orchestras, and the New Japan Philharmonic. He also premiered Bruno Mantovani’s Piano Concerto with Orchestre National de Lille.

Highlights of his 2010/11 season include performances with Philharmonia and BBC Symphony orchestras and make debut appearances with the London Philharmonic and City of Birmingham Symphony orchestras, and the Sydney Symphony with Vladimir Ashkenazy. In spring 2011 he will tour the US with the Orchestre National de France and Daniele Gatti.

An exclusive Chandos recording artist, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet’s discography includes a cycle of Debussy’s complete works for piano, which has been recognised by many international awards, not least of which a Gramophone and a BBC Music Magazine awards in 2009. His most recently released recording of Bartók’s Piano Concertos with the BBC Philharmonic has already received great acclaim.

Booklet for Beethoven: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 2