Sebastián is a true Beethovenian, he breathes and experiences Beethoven's every single emotion, of true love, drama, passion, desperation, beauty and darkness. Living Beethoven with every key stroke is an experience of monumental inner impact, only at reach for the daring soul and the truly talented soloist.

Famous for his deeply moving and highly original interpretations and dazzling mastery of his repertoire, Sebastián continues this travel through the universe of Beethoven in this Volume 5 with three Sonatas from 1801 and 1802.

The Piano Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 was named Pastoral or Pastorale by Beethoven's publisher at the time, A. Cranz. It is admired for the intricacy and technicality in the beauty it portrays. Published in 1801, it is dedicated to the Count Joseph von Sonnenfels. This sonata was written at a time when Beethoven's alarm at his worsening deafness was increasing. Nevertheless, Beethoven paints a serene image with this sonata.

The Piano Sonata No. 16 in G major, Op. 31 No. 1, was composed between 1801 and 1802. Due to his dissatisfaction with the 'classical' style of music, Beethoven pledged to 'take a new path' of musical composition and style. The Opus 31 works are the first examples of Beethoven's new innovative and unconventional ideas, an attempt to make a name for himself in the annals of music history. In critical terms, this sonata is light, breezy and has touches of humour and irony amongst its movements. Critics say that the Opus 31 works show now a more pronounced 'Beethovenian' sense of style that will become more evident in later, mature works.

The Piano Sonata No. 17 in D minor, Op. 31, No. 2, was composed in 1801/02. It is usually referred to as 'The Tempest', but this title was not given by him, or indeed referred to as such during his lifetime; instead, it comes from a claim by his associate Anton Schindler that the sonata was inspired by the Shakespeare play

Hear Beethoven as you have never heard it before, getting lost in the world of invigorating ideas and emotional virtuosity that has made Sebastián Forster one of the outstanding interpreters of the classical repertoire currently working on the world stage today.

1. Sonata for piano no15 in D major Op28 Pastoral 1 allegro (Ludwig van Beethoven)
2. Sonata for piano no15 in D major Op28 Pastoral 2 andante (Ludwig van Beethoven)
3. Sonata for piano no15 in D major Op28 Pastoral 3 scherzo trio allegro vivace (Ludwig van Beethoven)
4. Sonata for piano no15 in D major Op28 Pastoral 4 rondo allegro ma non troppo (Ludwig van Beethoven)
5. Sonata for piano no16 in G major Op31 no1 1 allegro vivace (Ludwig van Beethoven)
6. Sonata for piano no16 in G major Op31 no1 2 adagio grazioso (Ludwig van Beethoven)
7. Sonata for piano no16 in G major Op31 no1 3 rondo allegretto presto (Ludwig van Beethoven)
8. Sonata for piano no17 in D minor Op31 no2 tempest 1 largo allegro (Ludwig van Beethoven)
9. Sonata for piano no17 in D minor Op31 no2 tempest 2 adagio (Ludwig van Beethoven)
10. Sonata for piano no17 in D minor Op31 no2 tempest 3 allegretto (Ludwig van Beethoven)

Listen to: the entire album.

Release date: 1/7/2012
Sebastian Forster lives in New Jersey USA

Tagged as: Classical, Classical Period, Romantic Era, Instrumental Classical, Classical Piano, Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven

1. The Melodious Birde - Keyboard Music By William Byrd by Colin Booth: solo harpsichord music
2. Old School Old Time by Fiddle Whamdiddle: foot-stomping, heart-pumping, head-bobbing music that snags audiences and reels them in!
3. Josep i Maria (Spanish and Catalan Folksongs and Villancicos for Christmas) by Galliarda: Renaissance and Baroque music from Byrd to Handel
4. Bach and Telemann - Sonatas, Preludes and Fantasias by Voices of Music: Lilting Renaissance & Baroque vocal interpretations
5. Telemann on Guitar by Daniel Estrem: colorful classical guitar
6. Patrons of the Lute by Daniel Shoskes: A feast of Baroque lute
7. Looking for a Way Out by Paolo Pavan: Urban funky jazz piano, in a sober and straightforward style
8. Ancient Mosaic with Guitar by La Reverie: Recreating traditional music from a modern perspective
9. Humanity Is Falling Apart by Moh Alileche: music of the mountains of Kabylia
10. Meditative Guitar by Jeff Wahl: acoustic new age and jazz guitar.
11. Six Sonatas for Flute and Violin - Opus 51 - Boismortier by Duo de Bois: exquisite chamber music
12. Alessandro Piccinini by Paul Beier: solo lute of the Italian renaissance.
13. SL Weiss on 11 Strings by Paul Berget: renaissance lute, modernized.
14. Mistral by Shira Kammen: early folk and celtic music.
15. The Castle of the Holly King by Shira Kammen: early folk and celtic music.
16. Hang by Laura Inserra: the Hang, a new instrument from Switzerland
17. Bitter Circus by William Brooks: Entrancing and Ruggedly Individualistic, Earthy and Ethereal Songs
18. Karma Dogs by William Brooks: Entrancing and Ruggedly Individualistic, Earthy and Ethereal Songs
19. Debut by AlmaNova: lively flute/guitar duo
20. Distant Activity by Adam Fielding: atmospheric dance music with cool vocals

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