M. Clementi - Art of Playing on the Pianoforte - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

John McCabe (1939-2015) was renowned as both a pianist (a Haydn specialist and supporter of many contemporary composers) and as a composer in his own right of very fine music in several genres. This double album was created form two vinyl LPs issued by Hyperion in 1981 and shows McCabe as a first-class interpreter of the baroque and early classical sonata styles, here brought together. Domenico Scarlatti, an exact contemporary of Handel and JS Bach though living a few years longer, is probably the most renowned and certainly the most prolific of composers of the (usually single movement) keyboard sonata, more traditionally played on harpsichord. A hundred years later, pre-eminent among others, Clementi developed the classical piano sonata, introducing sustain and other dynamic effects available to the fortepiano, being produced by his family company among others. Both sets of works also translate very well to the modern concert grand.

Album Tracks 1. Allegro Assai 2. Mesto 3. Rondeau. Allegro 4. Presto 5. Andantino Allegretto-Presto-Allegretto 6. Allegro Con Spirito 7. Cantabile E Lento 8. Presto 9. Allegro 10. Allegro Con Molto Spirito 11. Andante Cantabile 12. Presto 13. Allegro Assai 14. Lerghetto 15. Rondeau. Allegro 16. Presto 17. Minuetto. Allegro 18. Rondeau. Allegretto Grazioso 1. Allegro Assai 2. Larghetto 3. Prestissimo 4. Allegro Assai 5. Lento 6. Rondo. Allegro Spiritoso 7. Allegro Assai 8. Larghetto 9. Prestissimo 10. Allegro 11. Allegro Con Spirito (So) 12. Minuetto Allegro Con Mo(L)To-Trio 13. Prestissimo 14. Andante. Maestoso 15. Presto 16. Presto 17. Tempo Di Minuetto Con Espressione E Andante 18. Allegro Assai 1. Allegro 2. Rondeau. Presto 3. All (Egre)Tto 4. Allegro Assai 5. Adagio 6. Arietta Con Variazione. Vivace 7. Allegro Con Brio 8. Andante Quasi Allegretto 9. Rondo. Allegro Assai 10. Allegro Ma Con Grazia 11. Adagio Molto E Con Anima 12. Allegro Molto Vivace

The final volume of Brilliant Classics' acclaimed Clementi series, this is dedicated to the composer's last and most mature works for pianoforte the Sonatas Opp. 40, 46 and 50, and the 12 Monferrinas Op.49. The works embrace a period of around 20 years and were a major landmark within Clementi's output. Slow introductions abound, and although Opp. 40 and 50 were composed separately, it is highly likely that the latter was intended as a sequel to the former because of their shared stylistic detail. From Op.40 No.1's formal experimentation to the quasi-orchestral writing of Op.50 No.3, the compilation also includes various homages - most notably Op.46, whose high level of virtuosity comprises a fitting tribute to the great pianist Friedrich Kalkbrenner. Recorded in July 2009. Costantino Mastroprimiano plays a fine original instrument, a Clementi from 1828, from the famous Edwin Beunk Collection. A glorious finale to this excellent series, played with gusto, feeling and brilliance by Costantino Mastroprimiano! Album Tracks 1. Allegro Molto Vivace 2. Adagio, Sostenuto E Cantabile 3. Allegro Canone I Perpetuo, Per Moto Retto - Canone II Perpetuo, Per Moto Contrario 4. Finale Presto 5. Molto Adagio E Sostenuto - Allegro Con Fuoco E Con Espressione 6. Largo, Mesto E Patetico 7. Allegro - Tempo Primo - Presto 8. Adagio Molto - Allegro 9. Adagio Con Molta Espressione 10. Allegro 1. Introduzione Larghetto Cantabile (Attacca Subito) 2. Allegro Con Brio 3. Adagio Cantabile E Sostenuto 4. Finale Allegro Con Fuoco 5. No. 1 6. No. 2 7. No. 3 8. No. 4 9. No. 5 10. No. 6 11. No. 7 12. No. 8 13. No. 9 14. No. 10 15. No. 11 16. No. 12 1. Allegro Maestoso E Con Sentimento 2. Adagio Sostenuto E Patetico 3. Allegro Vivace 4. Allegro Non Troppo, Ma Con Energia 5. Adagio Con Espressione 6. Allegro Con Fuoco, Ma Non Tr