Following the success of the volumes 1-4, we are delighted to present Volume 5 ‘In The Beginning…’ from Martin Roscoe’s complete Beethoven Sonata series which presents  four of the composer’s earliest sonatas.

‘Piano Sonata in E flat Wo0 47’, was composed when Beethoven was just 12 years old and the three Op, 2 Sonatas between 1793-5 when the 25 year old Beethoven was firmly established in Vienna, having studied with Haydn to whom these sonatas are dedicated. The A major sonata is particularly challenging for pianists worldwide, especially those attempting Beethoven’s own fingering in one notable passage but these Op 2 works perfectly exemplify the diversity, originality and daringness of the young Beethoven.  Who would have been able to preduct where the journey would take him from these auspicious beginnings?

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

In The Beginning (DXL 1165) Digital Booklet

Track List:

Piano Sonata in E flat major, Wo0 47, No. 1
1) Allegro cantabile
2) Andate
3) Rondo vivace

Piano Sonata in F minor Op. 2 No. 1
4) Allegro
5) Adagio
6) Menuetto. Allegretto
7) Prestissimo

Piano Sonata in A Op. 2 No. 2
8) Allegro vivace
9) Largo appassionato
10) Scherzo. Allegretto
11) Rondo. Grazioso

Piano Sonata in C Op. 2 No. 3
12) Allegro con brio
13) Adagio
14) Scherzo. Allegro
15) Allegro assai