About this Release
“There are only two ways of thinking about Johann Wilhelm Hässler (1747–1822), either as a justifiably forgotten footnote in the history of German/Russian music, or as nothing less than a minor genius. Over the long nine years that took to complete this project, I alternated between these two views. I think he was a minor genius now. This two-CD set presents, for the first time, Hässler's magnum opus, 360 Preludes in All Keys, and his second magnum opus, the Grande Sonate. It is likely to be nothing less than revelatory to the listener.” — Vitlaus von Horn
HÄSSLER, JOHANN WILHELM (1747–1822)
360 Preludes in All Major and Minor Keys • Sonata No. 6 • Fantaisie et Sonate • Grande Sonate
- Vitlaus von Horn, piano
Johann Wilhelm Hässler is remembered by musicologists for his contest in organ playing with Mozart, but the mostly premiere recordings show him to be an astonishing enigma whose predilection for composing miniatures reached a pinnacle with the 360 Preludes in All Keys. This remarkable tour de force shows an amazing control of textures and not insignificant humour, its style ranging from CPE Bach’s Empfindsamkeit to prophetic insights anticipating Schumann. The Grande Sonate is a true masterpiece that compares in scope, invention and effect with the best of Haydn’s sonatas.
This recording was made on a modern instrument: Steinway, Model D
Tracklist
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360 Preludes in All Major and Minor Keys, Op. 47 (1817) (01:41:38 )
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1
15 Preludes in C Major * (00:04:05)
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2
15 Preludes in C Minor * (00:03:15)
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3
15 Preludes in G Major * (00:02:31)
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4
15 Preludes in G Minor * (00:03:02)
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5
15 Preludes in D Major * (00:02:45)
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6
15 Preludes in D Minor * (00:03:47)
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7
15 Preludes in A Major * (00:03:51)
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8
15 Preludes in A Minor * (00:03:45)
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9
15 Preludes in E Major * (00:03:22)
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10
15 Preludes in E Minor * (00:03:24)
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11
15 Preludes in B Major * (00:04:04)
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12
15 Preludes in B Minor * (00:03:41)
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13
15 Preludes in F-Sharp Major * (00:03:40)
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14
15 Preludes in F-Sharp Minor * (00:05:00)
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15
15 Preludes in C-Sharp Major * (00:05:50)
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16
15 Preludes in C-Sharp Minor * (00:06:11)
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17
15 Preludes in A-Flat Major * (00:06:12)
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18
15 Preludes in G-Sharp Minor * (00:04:27)
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19
15 Preludes in E-Flat Major * (00:05:06)
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360 Preludes in All Major and Minor Keys, Op. 47 (1817) (01:41:38 )
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1
15 Preludes in E-Flat Minor * (00:03:33)
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2
15 Preludes in B-Flat Major * (00:04:50)
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3
15 Preludes in B-Flat Minor * (00:06:00)
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4
15 Preludes in F Major * (00:04:18)
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5
15 Preludes in F Minor * (00:10:03)
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6 Keyboard Sonatas: No. 6 in A Minor (1776) (00:13:26 )
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6
I. Poco allegro (00:04:04)
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7
II. Largo (00:01:48)
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8
III. Presto (00:04:55)
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Fantaisie et Sonate in C Major, Op. 4 () (00:12:59 )
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9
Fantasia: Allegro (00:02:01)
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10
Sonata: I. Vivace (00:01:51)
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11
Sonata: II. Recitativo (00:03:18)
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12
Sonata: III. Andante (00:02:08)
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13
Sonata: IV. Allegro (00:02:07)
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Grande Sonate in E-Flat Major, Op. 26 () (00:21:33 )
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14
I. Moderato * (00:07:05)
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15
II. Adagio * (00:07:23)
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16
III. Rondo: Presto * (00:07:09)
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The Artist(s)
Vitlaus von Horn was the first (and so far the only) pianist to perform the complete piano solo works of Sergey Prokofiev in concert. Having reached the pinnacle of his career and unable to top this achievement, he took a quarter-century-long sabbatical from piano, interrupted only by world première recordings of the complete works for piano and orchestra by Charles-Valentin Alkan on Naxos [8.553702] and of JW Hässler’s monumental cycle 360 Preludes in All Keys. Von Horn’s musical pedigree goes back to Beethoven himself, through Medtner, Leszetycki and Czerny. The Composer(s)
Johann Wilhelm Hässler was born in Erfurt, and after a period of touring Europe (including London, where he played concerts with Haydn, including a Mozart concerto!), he ended up in Russia, first in St Petersburg, and then—for over a quarter of a century—in Moscow. Apparently, he considered his relocation to Moscow as something of a ‘born again’ experience, because his works there begin with Op. 1 (his earlier works appear to be without opus numbers). Reviews
“Vitlaus von Horn’s playing is skillful, inventive, and witty, just like Hässler’s music.” – American Record Guide
Also Available
Grand Piano has gained a reputation for producing high quality recordings of rare keyboard gems. Dedicated to the exploration of undiscovered piano repertoire, the label specialises in complete cycles of piano works by many lesser-known composers, whose output might otherwise have remained unknown and unrecorded.
- info@grandpianorecords.com
