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 4 with four Sonatas from 1800 and 1801.

Prominent musicologist Donald Francis tovey has called Beethoven's 11th sonata the crowning achievement and culmination of Beethoven's early "grand" piano sonatas. (The "grand" modifier was applied by Beethoven to sonatas with four movements instead of three). The sonatas after this one find Beethoven experimenting more with form and concept.

Beethoven composed his Piano Sonata N. 12, Op. 26 in 1800-1801, around the same time as he completed his First Symphony. He dedicated the sonata to Prince karl von Lichnovsky, who had been his patron since 1792. The structure of the sonata is unconventional in that the piece opens with a relatively slow movement in the format of theme and variations. In contrast, the remaining movements of the sonata proceed according to classical principles in fast-slow-fast alternation.

Beethoven's Piano Sonata in E flat major "Quasi una fantasia", Op. 27 No. 1, composed in 1800-1801, has four movements. Beethoven included the phrase "Quasi una fantasia" (Italian: Almost a fantasy) in the title because the sonata does not follow the traditional sonata pattern where the first movement is in regular sonata form, and the movements are arranged in a fast-slow-fast sequence.

The Piano Sonata N. 14 in C# minor "Quasi una fantasia", Op. 27, No. 2, popularly known as the Moonlight Sonata, was completed in 1801. It is dedicated to his pupil, 17-year-old Countess Giulietta Guicciardi, with whom Beethoven was, or had been, in love. It is one of Beethoven's most popular piano sonatas, as well as one of his most famous compositions for the piano.

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. Piano sonata no11 in B flat major Op22 1 allegro con brio (Ludwig van Beethoven)
2. Piano sonata no11 in B flat major Op22 2 adagio con molta espressione (Ludwig van Beethoven)
3. Piano sonata no11 in B flat major Op22 3 menuetto (Ludwig van Beethoven)
4. Piano sonata no11 in B flat major Op22 4 rondo allegretto (Ludwig van Beethoven)
5. Piano sonata no12 in A flat major (funeral march) Op26 1 andante con variazioni (L van Beethoven)
6. Piano sonata no12 in A flat major (funeral march) Op26 2 scherzo allegro molto (L van Beethoven)
7. Piano sonata no12 in A flat major (funeral march) Op26 3 marcia funebre sulla morte d'un eroe
8. Piano sonata no12 in A flat major (funeral march) Op26 4 allegro (Ludwig van Beethoven)
9. Piano sonata no13 in E flat major (quasi una fantasia) Op27 1 1 andante allegro (L van Beethoven)
10. Piano sonata no13 in E flat major (quasi una fantasia) Op27 1 2 allegro molto e vivace (Beethoven)
11. Piano sonata no13 in E flat major (quasi una fantasia) Op 27 1 3 adagio con espressione (Beethoven)
12. Piano sonata no13 in E flat major (quasi una fantasia) Op27 1 4 allegro vivace (L van Beethoven)
13. Piano sonata no14 in C sharp minor (moonlight) Op27 2 1 adagio sostenuto (Ludwig van Beethoven)
14. Piano sonata no14 in C sharp minor (moonlight) Op27 2 2 allegretto (Ludwig van Beethoven)
15. Piano sonata no14 in C sharp minor (moonlight) Op27 2 3 presto agitato adagio presto agitato

Listen to: the entire album.

Release date: 8/14/2011
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. A Harper's Holiday in Wales by Cheryl Ann Fulton: World-class performer and teacher of Medieval, Baroque, Welsh triple, Celtic and Concert harps.
3. Guitarscapes by Jeff Wahl: acoustic new age and jazz guitar.
4. Christmas Guitar by Jeff Wahl: acoustic new age and jazz guitar.
5. Goode Christemas Musicke by Stephane Potvin and the Con Brio Choir: choral conductor extraordinaire
6. Guinevere by Jeff Wahl: acoustic new age and jazz guitar.
7. Old School Old Time by Fiddle Whamdiddle: foot-stomping, heart-pumping, head-bobbing music that snags audiences and reels them in!
8. Christmas Music by Magnatune Compilation: the best music from Magnatune
9. Josep i Maria (Spanish and Catalan Folksongs and Villancicos for Christmas) by Galliarda: Renaissance and Baroque music from Byrd to Handel
10. Bach and Telemann - Sonatas, Preludes and Fantasias by Voices of Music: Lilting Renaissance & Baroque vocal interpretations
11. Telemann on Guitar by Daniel Estrem: colorful classical guitar
12. Patrons of the Lute by Daniel Shoskes: A feast of Baroque lute
13. Zirkus - Step Inside - Piano Music of Robert Schumann by Cary Chow: virtuoso piano
14. Looking for a Way Out by Paolo Pavan: Urban funky jazz piano, in a sober and straightforward style
15. Ancient Mosaic with Guitar by La Reverie: Recreating traditional music from a modern perspective
16. Humanity Is Falling Apart by Moh Alileche: music of the mountains of Kabylia
17. Meditative Guitar by Jeff Wahl: acoustic new age and jazz guitar.
18. Six Sonatas for Flute and Violin - Opus 51 - Boismortier by Duo de Bois: exquisite chamber music
19. Elements_ by Aitua: dreamy and beautiful original compositions on classical guitar
20. Silent Night by Lisa Lynne and George Tortorelli: Celtic harp and bamboo flutes. Soft and soothing, perfect for quiet times and relaxation

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