Haydn: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 8 Jean-Efflam Bavouzet

• Franz Joseph Haydn (1732 - 1809): Divertimento in G Major, Hob. XVI:11:
• 1Divertimento in G Major, Hob. XVI:11: I. Presto01:28
• 2Divertimento in G Major, Hob. XVI:11: II. Andante04:17
• 3Divertimento in G Major, Hob. XVI:11: III. Menuet02:26
• Keyboard Sonata in E-Flat Major, Hob. XVI:38:
• 4Keyboard Sonata in E-Flat Major, Hob. XVI:38: I. Allegro moderato07:52
• 5Keyboard Sonata in E-Flat Major, Hob. XVI:38: II. Adagio03:53
• 6Keyboard Sonata in E-Flat Major, Hob. XVI:38: III. Finale. Allegro02:44
• Piano Trio in E-Flat Major, Op. 71 No. 2, Hob. XV:22:
• 7Piano Trio in E-Flat Major, Op. 71 No. 2, Hob. XV:22: II. Poco adagio (Original Version for Solo Piano)04:50
• Divertimento in C Major, Hob. XVI:10:
• 8Divertimento in C Major, Hob. XVI:10: I. Moderato03:14
• 9Divertimento in C Major, Hob. XVI:10: II. Menuet02:40
• 10Divertimento in C Major, Hob. XVI:10: III. Finale. Presto02:52
• Sonata in D Major, Hob. XVII:D1:
• 11Sonata in D Major, Hob. XVII:D1: I. Theme & Variations03:57
• 12Sonata in D Major, Hob. XVII:D1: II. Menuet00:50
• 13Sonata in D Major, Hob. XVII:D1: III. Finale. Allegro01:55
• String Quartet in C Major, Op. 76 No. 3, Hob. III:77 "Erdody, Emperor":
• 14String Quartet in C Major, Op. 76 No. 3, Hob. III:77 "Erdody, Emperor": II. Poco adagio cantabile (Version for Piano)05:44
• Sonata in E-Flat Major, Hob. XVI:49:
• 15Sonata in E-Flat Major, Hob. XVI:49: I. Allegro non troppo09:33
• 16Sonata in E-Flat Major, Hob. XVI:49: II. Adagio cantabile07:28
• 17Sonata in E-Flat Major, Hob. XVI:49: III. Finale. Tempo di menuet04:18
• Total Runtime01:10:01

Info for Haydn: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 8

After leaving the boys’ choir of St Stephens Cathedral in Vienna, one of the ways the young Haydn found to support himself was as a harpsichord teacher. The three early sonatas featured on this recording were almost certainly intended for his students: short, light pieces with few technical demands. The two larger sonatas, both in the key of E flat major, were written some twenty years later and are far more extensive. Both require significantly greater prowess from the performer, and represent Haydn’s ingenuity and skill to the full.

The two additional works included here, whilst single-movement compositions, are substantial pieces. The Adagio ma non troppo would become the slow movement of Piano Trio No. 36, whilst the Variations on ‘Gott erhalte’ is based on the second movement of the ‘Emperor’ Quartet (Op. 76 No. 3), which is itself a set of variations on an anthem composed by Haydn at the request of an Austrian politician for the 29th birthday of the Emperor, and intended as a patriotic hymn comparable to ‘God Save the King’ in England – and a response against the Marseillaise.

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 Haydn: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 8