Hello,

Been doing a lot of Haydn of late. I had learned all the sonatas a number of years ago, and now I'm going through and trying to polish the ones (about 12 or so) I want to be in in my more long-term repertory. This one's not played a lot, though not infrequently either, so hopefully it will be a welcome addition to the site.

Thanks in advance for listening.

Joe


Haydn - Sonata in A-flat Major, Hob. XVI/43 - 1: Moderato (6:28)
Haydn - Sonata in A-flat Major, Hob. XVI/43 - 2: Minuet - Trio (2:50)
Haydn - Sonata in A-flat Major, Hob. XVI/43 - 3: Presto (5:11)

Joe,
I thouroughly enjoyed this! You really did a great job. Your hard work was well demonstrated. Your execution was very clean and well-controlled. Your interpretation captured Haydn's spirit very well. Thank you for the post and I hope you keep them coming!

Regards.

BTW, this sonata is No. 35 in the Landon/Jonas Urtext Edition (Band 1 b) of the complete piano sonatas published by Schott/Universal Edition

Very good playing Joe. You are a true classicist.

Objectively speaking, there isn't anything to pick on. Personally, in some places I wished for a bit more bite and rhythmic incisiveness. Your articulation, rhythm and ornamentation are generally fine but can on occasion be a little flabby. The Trio of the Minuet seems to wilt a little, but that's probably intended so. Your instrument sounds fine in this repertoire, it has a hint of the fortepiano.

These are on the site.

I listened to the last movement. A cute, perky piece and played very nicely.

Thanks for the comments, everyone.



Eddy,

Thanks much for listening. I'm glad you enjoyed it.



Thanks, Chris, for the comments and for putting this up.



Thanks, Monica. I agree that this particular Presto movement is especially "perky," even for Haydn.

Joe

Hi Joe,

I had a listen to your Haydn Sonata recordings. Nice phrasing and very even voicing. I am impressed that you were able to keep your energy throughout in the presto typically when I play a piece fast it has to be short because like a runner, I can only sprint for so long, but you were able to keep tempo so I am in awe.

For criticism, personally I would have liked to here more rubato in the middle section of the #2 minuet and trio (I don't have a score in front of me so say at 1:06) Besides that I don't think there is much to pick on! You clearly have spent a long time to get these pieces in the shape I have heard in these recordings.

Look forward to more of your recordings,

~Riley

Riley,

Thanks very much for listening and for your comments.

Joe

Hi Joe,

First, I'm very impressed that you learned all the Haydn sonatas! That's quite an accomplishment.

Regarding your recording, I listened to the entire sonata but without the score. Overall it sounded excellent to me. You play this music with a wonderful vitality and fluency. All of the ornaments fit nicely into the melodic lines. Your articulation is very crisp and precise, and I like your evenness of touch, especially in the presto. You apply essential pedaling in this music, and it is well-timed and controlled to ensure clarity throughout. In short, I believe that you have a wonderful grasp of the Viennese Classical style and demonstrate it very well in your performance. I really enjoyed listening.

David

Thanks, David! Yes, I had learned them all, but many were rather sloppy at the time What I'm trying to do now is hone the ones I like most as I map out repertoire. I will be doing that with other composers as well (of course it will be a lot more difficult with another of my favorites, Rachmaninoff ).

Thanks very much for the detailed comments and for listening.

Joe