Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827)

Hyperion Records CDA68086

Piano Sonata in A major Op 2 No 2 [25’07] 1 Allegro vivace [7’23] 2 Largo appassionato [6’51] 3 Scherzo: Allegretto [3’58] 4 Rondo: Grazioso [6’55] Piano Sonata in C minor Op 10 No 1 [19’24] 5 Allegro molto e con bri o[5’45] 6 Adagio molto [8’51] 7 Prestissimo [4’48] Piano Sonata in F sharp major Op 78 [11’29] 8 Adagio cantabile – Allegro ma non troppo [8’03] 9 Allegro vivace [3’26] Piano Sonata in A flat major Op 110 [20’01] 10 Moderato, cantabile molto espressivo [6’50] 11 Allegro molto [2’22] 12 Adagio ma non troppo – Fuga: Allegro ma non troppo [10’49]

Angela Hewitt has been much praised in her earlier recordings of Beethoven’s piano sonatas—displaying ‘exquisite taste’—and now turns her ‘uncluttered clarity of thought and inspired structural pacing’ to four more works spanning the composer’s career. As ever, Angela’s accompanying notes provide fascinating insights into both the music and her performances.

‘This fifth volume, for the most part, offers interpretations characterised by intelligent virtuosity and cultivated artistry … obviously [Angela Hewitt’s] long experience with Bach is an asset here!’ (Gramophone)

‘Here is a stimulatingly well-contrasted programme. Each sonata benefits from Angela Hewitt’s beautifully clean-cut pianistic command, in which every score marking is placed within a precisely articulated interpretative overview’ (BBC Music Magazine)