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   Sonatas

Joseph Wölfl
(1773-1812)

Piano Sonata in C minor, Op. 25
Piano Sonata in C Major, Op. 33 #1
Piano Sonata in D minor, Op. 33 #2
Piano Sonata in E Major, Op. 33 #3

Jon Nakamatsu, piano
Harmonia Mundi HMU907324 69:49

A native of Salzburg and apparently friendly rival of Beethoven, Wölfl wrote prolifically during his short life. These sonatas show the influence of Beethoven, Haydn, and Bach. The American pianist Jon Nakamatsu makes an excellent case for the music of one of the less familiar names of the early nineteenth century.

[ Available on CD: Amazon - UK - Germany - Canada - France - Japan - ArkivMusic - CD Universe ]

[ Sheet music by this composer: Sheet Music Plus - Musicnotes.com ]

Jan Václav Voríšek
(1791-1825)

Impromptus, Op. 7
Fantasie, Op. 12
Variations, Op. 19
Piano Sonata in B Flat minor

Radoslav Kvapil, piano
Regis RRC1224 71:56

Voríšek is credited with giving Schubert the idea for his famous impromptus: the two were good friends in Vienna. The impromptus, which take up about half the CD, are strongly reminiscent of Schubert and Beethoven. The Fantasie and the Variations are somewhat more Romantic, and the sonata, which lacks a slow movement, reminds me of the controlled energy of Beethoven's Piano Sonata #18.

Further listening:
Voríšek's best-known composition is his only symphony of which there are a number of recordings.

[ Available on CD: Amazon - UK - Germany - Canada - France - Japan - ArkivMusic - CD Universe ]

[ Also available from some sources as Unicorn-Kanchana DKP(CD)9145 of which the Regis CD is a reissue:
Amazon - UK - Germany - Canada - France - Japan ]

[ Sheet music by this composer: Sheet Music Plus - Musicnotes.com ]