Sebastián is a true Beethovenian, he breathes and experiences Beethoven's every single emotion, of true love, drama, passion, desperation, beauty and darkness. Living Beethoven with every key stroke is an experience of monumental inner impact, only at reach for the daring soul and the truly talented soloist.

Famous for his deeply moving and highly original interpretations and dazzling mastery of his repertoire, Sebastián continues this travel through the universe of Beethoven in this Volume 4 with four Sonatas from 1800 and 1801.

Prominent musicologist Donald Francis tovey has called Beethoven's 11th sonata the crowning achievement and culmination of Beethoven's early "grand" piano sonatas. (The "grand" modifier was applied by Beethoven to sonatas with four movements instead of three). The sonatas after this one find Beethoven experimenting more with form and concept.

Beethoven composed his Piano Sonata N. 12, Op. 26 in 1800-1801, around the same time as he completed his First Symphony. He dedicated the sonata to Prince karl von Lichnovsky, who had been his patron since 1792. The structure of the sonata is unconventional in that the piece opens with a relatively slow movement in the format of theme and variations. In contrast, the remaining movements of the sonata proceed according to classical principles in fast-slow-fast alternation.

Beethoven's Piano Sonata in E flat major "Quasi una fantasia", Op. 27 No. 1, composed in 1800-1801, has four movements. Beethoven included the phrase "Quasi una fantasia" (Italian: Almost a fantasy) in the title because the sonata does not follow the traditional sonata pattern where the first movement is in regular sonata form, and the movements are arranged in a fast-slow-fast sequence.

The Piano Sonata N. 14 in C# minor "Quasi una fantasia", Op. 27, No. 2, popularly known as the Moonlight Sonata, was completed in 1801. It is dedicated to his pupil, 17-year-old Countess Giulietta Guicciardi, with whom Beethoven was, or had been, in love. It is one of Beethoven's most popular piano sonatas, as well as one of his most famous compositions for the piano.

Hear Beethoven as you have never heard it before, getting lost in the world of invigorating ideas and emotional virtuosity that has made Sebastián Forster one of the outstanding interpreters of the classical repertoire currently working on the world stage today.

1. Piano sonata no11 in B flat major Op22 1 allegro con brio (Ludwig van Beethoven)
2. Piano sonata no11 in B flat major Op22 2 adagio con molta espressione (Ludwig van Beethoven)
3. Piano sonata no11 in B flat major Op22 3 menuetto (Ludwig van Beethoven)
4. Piano sonata no11 in B flat major Op22 4 rondo allegretto (Ludwig van Beethoven)
5. Piano sonata no12 in A flat major (funeral march) Op26 1 andante con variazioni (L van Beethoven)
6. Piano sonata no12 in A flat major (funeral march) Op26 2 scherzo allegro molto (L van Beethoven)
7. Piano sonata no12 in A flat major (funeral march) Op26 3 marcia funebre sulla morte d'un eroe
8. Piano sonata no12 in A flat major (funeral march) Op26 4 allegro (Ludwig van Beethoven)
9. Piano sonata no13 in E flat major (quasi una fantasia) Op27 1 1 andante allegro (L van Beethoven)
10. Piano sonata no13 in E flat major (quasi una fantasia) Op27 1 2 allegro molto e vivace (Beethoven)
11. Piano sonata no13 in E flat major (quasi una fantasia) Op 27 1 3 adagio con espressione (Beethoven)
12. Piano sonata no13 in E flat major (quasi una fantasia) Op27 1 4 allegro vivace (L van Beethoven)
13. Piano sonata no14 in C sharp minor (moonlight) Op27 2 1 adagio sostenuto (Ludwig van Beethoven)
14. Piano sonata no14 in C sharp minor (moonlight) Op27 2 2 allegretto (Ludwig van Beethoven)
15. Piano sonata no14 in C sharp minor (moonlight) Op27 2 3 presto agitato adagio presto agitato

Listen to: the entire album.

Release date: 8/14/2011
Sebastian Forster lives in New Jersey USA

Tagged as: Classical, Classical Period, Romantic Era, Instrumental Classical, Classical Piano, Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven

1. WEST - Nocturnal Music in Five Movements by DAC Crowell: deeply ambient new music
2. Autumn Suite Volume 1 by Chad Lawson: Multi-award winning pianist and composer who is not afraid to put his hat in anything
3. Bach Violin Concertos by Lara St John: Bach violin concertos
4. Roadside Sketches by Art Sonic: acoustic guitar folktronica with elements of ambient atmospheric Americana
5. Hidden Sky by Jami Sieber: enchanting cello compositions
6. The Space Between by Chad Lawson: Multi-award winning pianist and composer who is not afraid to put his hat in anything
7. Set on a Hill by Chad Lawson: Multi-award winning pianist and composer who is not afraid to put his hat in anything
8. Kyotaku Breeze by Tilopa: healing magic of the japanese zenflute
9. Birds of the State Fair by Made of Wood: Groove laden chillout funk
10. Music from Braid by Sieber, Kammen and Fulton: dreamy music from the acclaimed video game Braid
11. Timeless_ by Jami Sieber: enchanting cello compositions
12. Mystic Journey by Suzanne Teng: world flute with a serene energy
13. Acoustic Dreams by Manuel Ochoa: jazz and tango from where else, Argentina
14. Unspoken by Jami Sieber: enchanting cello compositions
15. The Chopin Variations (on piano, violin and cello) by Chad Lawson: Multi-award winning pianist and composer who is not afraid to put his hat in anything
16. Enchanted Wind by Suzanne Teng: world flute with a serene energy
17. JS Bach Six Motets BWV 225-230 by Bach Collegium San Diego: Bach, historically informed, vibrantly performed
18. The Piano by Chad Lawson: Multi-award winning pianist and composer who is not afraid to put his hat in anything
19. Song of Prayer by Chad Lawson: Multi-award winning pianist and composer who is not afraid to put his hat in anything
20. The Best For Meditation by Satori: healing, meditative ambient new age

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