A once-celebrated contemporary of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven, and a precursor of Schubert in the domain of the lied, Johann Franz Xaver Sterkel (1750-1817) is today almost unknown to the general public. Given the great success of his symphonies at the Concert Spirituel, he was probably the composer most frequently performed in Paris between 1777 and 1779. This famous and highly influental pianist and composer spent most of his working life at the court of Mainz, where his reputation attracted rising young talents like Beethoven and Weber, and wrote more than 700 works, including 400 German and Italian songs. On this new release, Els Biesemans and Meret Luthi present a world premiere recording of some of his sonatas for fortepiano and violin, utterly disarming in their charm, inventiveness and refinement.

Tracklist:

Violin Sonata In F Major, Op. 33 No. 1: I. Allegro
Violin Sonata In F Major, Op. 33 No. 1: II. Andante Con Variazioni
Fantasia In A Minor, Op. 45: III. Andante Con Un Poco Di Moto Ma Con Grazia Ed Espressione
Violin Sonata In B-Flat Major, Op. 25: I. Allegro Cantabile
Violin Sonata In B-Flat Major, Op. 25: II. Cantabile
Violin Sonata In B-Flat Major, Op. 25: III. Allegro Un Poco Vivace
Romance In F Major, Op. 24 No. 3: I. Andantino
Violin Sonata In A Major, Op. 33 No. 3: I. Allegro
Violin Sonata In A Major, Op. 33 No. 3: II. Rondo

UPC: 4250128517010
Label: Ramee
Release Date: 3.9.18
Format: CD

Sterkel / Biesemans / Luthi - Sonatas for Fortepiano & Violin (CD)