Moscheles: Complete Piano Sonatas

Bolla, Michele

PCL 10188

Ignaz Moscheles (1794-1870) was born in Prague. In 1808 he settled in Vienna where he was a pupil of Albrechtsberger and Salieri - thanks to whose commendations he became adjunct Kapellmeister to the Court Theatre from 1811 to 1813. Beethoven was so impressed by him that he entrusted him with the piano transcription of Fidelio. The approval of the genius of Bonn and the establishment of a friendship between them that would continue over time were pivotal in those years to launching the young musician into the stream of the international concert world.

The four piano sonatas of Ignaz Moscheles were composed and published in Vienna between 1814 and 1821. They belong to the composer’s first creative phase, nevertheless the compositional creativity that emerges reveals an already considered mastery of technique and the rich thematic invention. “He has Clementi’s science, Cramer’s expression and Kalkbrenner’s brilliance”, this description by a contemporary journalist sums up his capacities and the originality and power of both his playing and compositions.

Italian pianist Michele Bolla plays an 1815 Brodmann piano, perfectly suited to the repertoire.

CD

31.08.2020

5029365101882