Haydn: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 6 Jean-Efflam Bavouzet

• Joseph Haydn (1732 - 1809): Piano Sonata (Partita) No. 11 in B-Flat Major, Hob. XVI:2:
• 1 Piano Sonata (Partita) No. 11 in B-Flat Major, Hob. XVI:2: I. Moderato 06:22
• 2 Piano Sonata (Partita) No. 11 in B-Flat Major, Hob. XVI:2: II. Largo [Molto espressivo] 04:55
• 3 Piano Sonata (Partita) No. 11 in B-Flat Major, Hob. XVI:2: III. Menuetto - Trio - Menuetto da capo 03:39
• Piano Sonata No. 43 in E-Flat Major, Hob. XVI:28:
• 4 Piano Sonata No. 43 in E-Flat Major, Hob. XVI:28: I. Allegro moderato - Adagio - Allegro - Adagio - Allegro 08:55
• 5 Piano Sonata No. 43 in E-Flat Major, Hob. XVI:28: II. Menuetto - Trio - Menuetto da capo 03:30
• 6 Piano Sonata No. 43 in E-Flat Major, Hob. XVI:28: III. Finale. Presto 03:46
• Piano Sonata No. 35 in A-Flat Major, Hob. XVI:43:
• 7 Piano Sonata No. 35 in A-Flat Major, Hob. XVI:43: I. Moderato - Adagio - Tempo I 08:19
• 8 Piano Sonata No. 35 in A-Flat Major, Hob. XVI:43: II. Menuetto I - Menuetto II - Menuetto I da capo 02:18
• 9 Piano Sonata No. 35 in A-Flat Major, Hob. XVI:43: III. Rondo. Presto - Adagio - Tempo I 04:39
• Piano Sonata No. 34 in D Major, Hob. XVI:33:
• 10 Piano Sonata No. 34 in D Major, Hob. XVI:33: I. Allegro - Adagio - Allegro - Adagio - Allegro 08:00
• 11 Piano Sonata No. 34 in D Major, Hob. XVI:33: II. Adagio 05:13
• 12 Piano Sonata No. 34 in D Major, Hob. XVI:33: III. Tempo di menuetto 04:16
• Piano Sonata No. 36 in C Major, Hob. XVI:21:
• 13 Piano Sonata No. 36 in C Major, Hob. XVI:21: I. Allegro moderato 08:02
• 14 Piano Sonata No. 36 in C Major, Hob. XVI:21: II. Adagio 07:50
• 15 Piano Sonata No. 36 in C Major, Hob. XVI:21: III. Finale. Presto 03:34
• Total Runtime 01:23:18

Info for Haydn: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 6

The highly acclaimed series of Haydn’s complete piano sonatas with multi-award winning pianist Jean-Efflam Bavouzet has now reached Volume 6.

This set opens with the most imposing of Haydn’s early sonatas, No. 11, and follows it with two lesser-known ones, both from the late 1770s, that were published without the composer’s approval: Nos 34 and 35. Each of Nos 36 and 43, the last two featured here, opens a new group of six sonatas, and a new world in Haydn’s compositional style. Future volumes will continue to explore the huge variety of style and expression found in Haydn’s sonatas.

As usual, the pianist conveys his personal views in the booklet notes, praising ‘the generally very short phrases typical of Haydn, the abundant touches of humour, the surprises, the embellishments’, and adding: ‘The five sonatas in this programme are not among the most well known. But what treasures they conceal!... I am delighted to dedicate this disc to Professor Ernő Nemecz with whom I have shared a love for Haydn’s music for thirty-five years.’

“...wonderfully clean as his [Bavouzet] playing is, there is always warmth and a host of qualities that make his fingers sing and speak and entertain the way they do. There is nothing otiose or vacuous but he has the gift of making Haydn smile at us.” (Stephen Plaistow, Gramophone magazine)

"Under Jean-Efflam Bavouzet’s supple fingers, [Sonata No. 11] proves a delight. By subtle shading of dynamics, minutely varying the rhythmic pacing and adding spritely touches of decoration to repeat sections, he reveals the piece to be packed with bright invention, with a touch of gravity in its slow movement" (BBC Music Magazine)

"He has [promoted Haydn] at a level of technical perfection allied to insight, rigorous intellectual curiosity and the probing instincts of a distinguished performer that have never been brought to bear so acutely and consistently on this part of Haydn’s activity...wonderfully clean as his playing is, there is always warmth and a host of qualities that make his fingers sing and speak and entertain the way they do." (Gramophone Magazine)

Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, piano

Jean-Efflam Bavouzet

French pianist Jean-Efflam Bavouzet combines a rare elegance and clarity in his playing with deep and thoughtful musicality, for which he continues to win the highest acclaim from both critics and audiences.

Recent engagements for Bavouzet have included appearances with the London Symphony Orchestra, The Cleveland and Philharmonia orchestras, and the New Japan Philharmonic. He also premiered Bruno Mantovani’s Piano Concerto with Orchestre National de Lille.

Highlights of his 2010/11 season include performances with Philharmonia and BBC Symphony orchestras and make debut appearances with the London Philharmonic and City of Birmingham Symphony orchestras, and the Sydney Symphony with Vladimir Ashkenazy. In spring 2011 he will tour the US with the Orchestre National de France and Daniele Gatti.

An exclusive Chandos recording artist, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet’s discography includes a cycle of Debussy’s complete works for piano, which has been recognised by many international awards, not least of which a Gramophone and a BBC Music Magazine awards in 2009. His most recently released recording of Bartók’s Piano Concertos with the BBC Philharmonic has already received great acclaim.

Booklet for Haydn: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 6