Wolfram Schmitt-Leonardy - Chopin: Complete Piano Sonatas Nos. 1-3 (2017)

This new recording presents the three Piano Sonatas by Frédéric Chopin, large-scale works by a composer by was primarily a master of the small form, the Nocturne, Ballade, Prelude, Mazurka or Impromptu. Chopin’s first Sonata is from his youth, an ambitious work in semiclassical style but already bearing Chopin’s characteristics in its lyricism and freedom. The second Piano Sonata is the most famous, including the iconic Funeral March, a passionate 4-movement work of staggering originality. The third Sonata is the most forward-looking in its intense chromatism and advanced harmony.

TRACKLIST

01. Piano Sonata No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 4: I. Allegro maestoso
02. Piano Sonata No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 4: II. Menuetto
03. Piano Sonata No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 4: III. Larghetto
04. Piano Sonata No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 4: IV. Finale. Presto
05. Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 35: I. Grave-Doppio movimento
06. Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 35: II. Scherzo
07. Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 35: III. Marche funèbre. Lento
08. Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 35: IV. Finale. Presto
09. Piano Sonata No. 3 in B Minor, Op. 58: I. Allegro maestoso
10. Piano Sonata No. 3 in B Minor, Op. 58: II. Scherzo. Molto vivace
11. Piano Sonata No. 3 in B Minor, Op. 58: III. Largo