Track Listing

1. Keyboard Sonata in B minor, H. 16/32: 1. Allegro moderato
2. Keyboard Sonata in B minor, H. 16/32: 2. Menuet
3. Keyboard Sonata in B minor, H. 16/32: 3. Finale: Presto
4. Keyboard Sonata in D major, H. 16/37: 1. Allegro con brio
5. Keyboard Sonata in D major, H. 16/37: 2. Largo e sostenuto
6. Keyboard Sonata in D major, H. 16/37: 3. Finale: Presto ma non troppo
7. Keyboard Sonata in A major, H. 16/26: 1. Allegro moderato
8. Keyboard Sonata in A major, H. 16/26: 2. Minuet al Rovescio
9. Keyboard Sonata in A major, H. 16/26: 3. Finale: Presto
10. Keyboard Sonata in C sharp minor, H. 16/36: 1. Moderato
11. Keyboard Sonata in C sharp minor, H. 16/36: 2. Scherzando: Allegro con brio
12. Keyboard Sonata in C sharp minor, H. 16/36: 3. Minuet: Moderato
13. Keyboard Sonata in E flat major, H. 16/49: 1. Allegro
14. Keyboard Sonata in E flat major, H. 16/49: 2. Adagio e cantabile
15. Keyboard Sonata in E flat major, H. 16/49: 3. Finale: Tempo di Minuet

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #107479 in Music
• Released on: 1999-02-09
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Amazon.com
Leif Ove Andsnes, obviously one of the superior artists on the current piano scene, deserves credit for paying attention to Haydn. Every one of these sonatas is a masterpiece, and every one is played with Andsnes's typical intelligence and scrupulous detail. You could virtually take dictation from these performances, except for some missing repeats. But it's hard to feel that Andsnes identifies as strongly with this music as he does with Brahms. As fine as this playing is, it has an aura of objectivity that keeps the results from being completely satisfying. Although this disc does not lessen my admiration for the pianist, you could spend the same money for three of Jandó's Naxos CDs of Haydn and have a lot more music, played as well, if not better. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews

everything Andsnes touches is gold
your eyes can be opened to an artist's true worth just by hearing one thing they do that bowls you over. Andsnes is one of those rare pianists who has a formidable technique (and a fabulous sense of rhythm) without overwhelming the piano and playing harshly or smashing the keys down. He has a mixture of wonderful technique and pin-point finger velocity. Just listen to the first three tracks on Amazon (which he plays at a spanking presto) he lifts that piece of Haydn out of all time.

Andsnes is not an eccentric pianist, he's wonderfully musical and rewarding. Everything else I have by Andsnes is great especially the Bartok violin and piano sonatas and the janacek piano album on Virgin.

As for Haydn, he's an underrated genius always unfairly overshadowed by Mozart (no slouch he) but Hadyn can hold his own with his warm, human and unbelievably inventive music in every genre.

Relax and enjoy, an album to cherish

Andsnes and Haydn: A perfect match
Leif Ove Andsnes, one of the best pianists in the world for the time being, has also become one of the best Haydn interpretors. This album is excellent, especially Piano Sonata No. 32 in C sharp minor.

Just relax and enjoy the fantastic 1-hour journey with Leif Ove Andsnes as your guide. He plays with such an ease, and shows yet again that Andsnes and Haydn is a perfect match.

Super
Great cd worth the price clear and crisp performances make Haydn come to life!