An outstanding period keyboard player from Belgium, Jos van Immerseel has appeared on many noteworthy recordings of Beethoven string sonatas; here he takes center stage on one of the most famous piano sonatas ever written, the "Moonlight" (No. 14 in C-sharp Minor, Op. 27, No. 2). Beethoven's original Italian title for the sonata was "Quasi una fantasia" ("almost a fantasy"). He wrote it in 1801 and dedicated it to his pupil, Countess Giulietta Guicciardi. It is believed that the two were in love but that she was forbidden by her parents to marry him. Composed just a few years earlier, when the composer was 27 years old, his Piano Sonata No. 8 in C Minor, Op. 13 was dedicated to his friend, Prince Karl von Lichnowsky. Beethoven approved of the name Grande Sonata PathÃ©tique, given by the work's publisher, who was struck by it's tragic sonorities. Immerseel's program also includes Six Bagatelles, Op. 126, and Andante WoO 57.

Tracklist:

Piano Sonata No. 14 In C Sharp Minor, Op. 27, No. 2, "moonlight": I. Adagio Sostenuto
Piano Sonata No. 14 In C Sharp Minor, Op. 27, No. 2, "moonlight": Ii. Allegretto
Piano Sonata No. 14 In C Sharp Minor, Op. 27, No. 2, "moonlight": Iii. Presto Agitato
6 Bagatelles, Op. 126: No. 1 In G Major
6 Bagatelles, Op. 126: No. 2 In G Minor
No. 3 In E Flat Major
6 Bagatelles, Op. 126: No. 4 In B Minor
6 Bagatelles, Op. 126: No. 5 In G Major
No. 6 In E Flat Major
Piano Sonata No. 8 In C Minor, Op. 13, "pathetique": I. Grave - Allegro di Molto E Con Brio
Piano Sonata No. 8 In C Minor, Op. 13, "pathetique": Ii. Adagio Cantabile
Piano Sonata No. 8 In C Minor, Op. 13, "pathetique": Iii. Rondo: Allegro
Andante In F Major, Woo 57, "andante Favori"

UPC: 4015023100329
Label: Accent Plus
Release Date: 5.26.09
Format: CD

Jos Van Immerseel - Sonata in C Sharp minor (CD)