January 2017 sees the release of the much anticipated Volume 6 ‘Moonlight’ from Martin Roscoe’s complete Beethoven Sonata

Composed by a young Beethoven at the age of twelve, these early piano masterpieces perfectly illustrate the daringness and originality of the young composer.

Piano Sonata in C sharp minor, ‘Moonlight’ is the most famous work of Beethoven’s piano works.  Martin Roscoe notes how ground-breaking it is with the composer’s choice of key – C sharp minor was hardly ever used by composers, and secondly the opening with an Adagio slow triplet movement to produce a hypnotic calm while the funereal dotted rhythm of the main theme evokes the feeling of tragedy.  Producer Mike George adds that the F minor sonata is probably the most interesting and forward-thinking of Beethoven’s early sonatas.

Martin Roscoe is a versatile musician and one of Britain’s most prolific recitalists who features regularly on BBC Radio 3.  His enduring popularity and solid reputation are built on a deeply thoughtful musicianship that is allied to an easy rapport with audiences and fellow musicians alike.  He has recorded the complete piano music of Nielsen and Szymanowski, as well as this series for of the first complete Beethoven piano sonatas from Barry Cooper’s new edition, published by ABRSM.

Martin is currently a Professor of Piano at the Guildhall School of Music, London. Artistic Director of Ribble Valley International Piano Week and Beverley Chamber Music Festival.  He lives in the English Lake District, that provides inspiration and enables him to indulge his passions for the countryside and hill-walking.  www.martinroscoe.co.uk

Track List:

Piano Sonata in E flat, Op. 27, No. 1
1) Andante – Allegro – Andante
2) Allegro molto e vivace
3) Adagio con espressione
4) Allegro vivace

Piano Sonata in C sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 2 ‘Moonlight’
5) Adagio sostenuto
6) Allegretto
7) Presto

Piano Sonata in D, Op. 28 ‘Pastoral’
8) Allegro
9) Andante
10) Scherzo. Allegro vivace
11) Rondo. Allegro ma non troppo

Piano Sonata in F, Op. 54
12) In tempo d’un Menuetto
13) Allegretto

Piano Sonata in F minor Wo047, No. 2
14) Larghetto maestoso – Allegro assai
15) Andante
16) Presto

“[these accounts] go out of their way to emphasis the freshness and cheekiness of Beethoven, for all his indebtedness to Haydn. No listener will be disappointed…”
In The Beginning (Vol. 5) DXL 1165, BBC Music Magazine,  February 2016 ****

“perfect musical judgement and a formidable technique from Martin Roscoe” Waldstein, DXL 1162, BBC Radio 3

” I think Roscoe’s way with them is nigh-on perfect” Pathetique, DXL 1161 Gramophone Magazine, June 2010