[Cover graphic]

2 Compact Discs CDA67632
(for the price of one)

£13.99

This is the first volume in a complete chronological survey of the Clementi sonatas which we hope to complete in six '2 for the price of 1' double CD sets released over the next three years. There is very little competition for this repertoire and indeed this volume appears to include the first ever recording of Clementi's six sonatas Opus 1.

Muzio Clementi was for much of his long career one of the most famous musicians in Europe. Around the turn of the nineteenth century his public esteem was probably second only to that of Haydn, and, a decade or so later, Beethoven. But unlike the reputations of these other two, Clementi’s fame as a musician rested almost solely upon his exploits, as both player and composer, at a single instrument, the piano. And the vast majority of his compositions are sonatas for that instrument. This is a fascinating body of work which spans European musical life from Scarlatti to Chopin.

This is Howard Shelley’s hundredth CD release and Hyperion congratulates him on an extraordinary achievement.

Recorded in All Saints Church, East Finchley, London, on 18–21 June 2007
Recording Engineer
BEN CONNELLAN
Recording Producer
ANNABEL CONNELLAN
Piano
STEINWAY & SONS
Front Picture Research
RICHARD HOWARD
Booklet Editor
TIM PARRY
Executive Producers
SIMON PERRY
MICHAEL SPRING
© Hyperion Records Ltd, London, MMVIII

Duration: 153'34
DDD
Front illustration: Roman Ruins with the Blind Belisarius by Giovanni Paolo Panini (c1692–1765)

MUZIO CLEMENTI (1752-1832)

Complete Piano Sonatas - 1

HOWARD SHELLEY piano

Contents:

COMPACT DISC 1 [76'26]

    Sonata in E flat major Op 1 No 1 [5'15]
  1. Allegro con comodo [2'49]
  2. Tempo di Minuetto [2'26]

    Sonata in G major Op 1 No 2 [7'24]

  3. Spiritoso [4'38]
  4. Allegro assai [2'46]

    Sonata in B flat major Op 1 No 3 [7'11]

  5. Maestoso [3'25]
  6. Andantino grazioso [3'46]

    Sonata in F major Op 1 No 4 [10'23]

  7. Spiritoso [4'01]
  8. Larghetto [3'29]
  9. Rondeaux [2'53]

    Sonata in A major Op 1 No 5 [7'37]

  10. Larghetto [5'13]
  11. Tempo di Menuetto: Grazioso [2'24]

    Sonata in E major Op 1 No 6 [6'19]

  12. Moderato [3'53]
  13. Rondeau: Grazioso [2'26]

    Sonata in C major Op 2 No 2 [11'00]

  14. Presto [6'10]
  15. Rondeau: Spiritoso [4'48]

    Sonata in A major Op 2 No 4 [9'10]

  16. Allegro assai [4'36]
  17. Spiritoso [4'34]

    Sonata in B flat major Op 2 No 6 [7'51]

  18. Allegro di molto [5'39]
  19. Prestissimo [2'12]

  20. Sonata in G major WO14 Allegro [3'17]
    Alternative first movement to Op 1 No 2
COMPACT DISC 2 [77'08]
    Sonata in E flat major Op 7 No 1 [11'03]
  1. Allegro [4'28]
  2. Mesto [3'56]
  3. Allegretto spiritoso – Allegro – Tempo I [2'39]

    Sonata in C major Op 7 No 2 [9'34]

  4. Allegro [5'39]
  5. Allegretto con espressione – Allegro [3'55]

    Sonata in G minor Op 7 No 3 [10'28]

  6. Allegro espressivo [4'47]
  7. [Adagio] Cantabile [3'10]
  8. Allegro agitato [2'31]

    Sonata in G minor Op 8 No 1 [11'50]

  9. Allegro [5'24]
  10. Andante cantabile [2'55]
  11. Presto [3'31]

    Sonata in E flat major Op 8 No 2 [11'17]

  12. Allegro assai [4'53]
  13. Larghetto con espressione [3'18]
  14. Rondeau: Allegro [3'06]

    Sonata in B flat major Op 8 No 3 [8'40]

  15. Presto [4'50]
  16. Minuetto: Allegretto [1'04]
  17. Rondeau: Allegretto grazioso [2'46]

    Sonata in A flat major WO13 [13'34]

  18. Allegro ma non troppo [4'24]
  19. Larghetto [4'50]
  20. Allegro assai [4'20]
Sleeve Notes

GRAMOPHONE RECOMMENDS
CHOC DU MONDE DE LA MUSIQUE

'Listening to this opener in Howard Shelley's complete cycle, recorded on a pristine-sounding modern piano, it is hard to imagine anyone else ever making them sound better … Shelley reveals this by treating each and every one of these works with the utmost respect, his constant attention to the subtlest details of touch and phrasing meaning not only that things are never allowed to descend into the routine, but that he is more than able to respond to those moments when Clementi really does find a vein of poetry … The Andante cantabile of Op 8 No 1 is a gem., the excellent Op 7 No 3 is storngly epxressive throughout … Shelley realises them all while also coping coolly with the more finger-breaking exhibitions of virtuosity … Shelley's performances, which seem well capable of achieving definitive status, make you wonder if Mozart was hiding some genuine discomfort' (Gramophone)

'I have long admired Shelley's spaciousness of phrase and generosity of tonal range, and this latest offering certainly does not disappoint on either account. The Opp 1 and 2 Sonatas benefit from a fresh and spirited viewpoint, the leisurely lyrical lines nevertheless beautifully compact … This set may well encourage listeners to reappraise Clementi, not in the shadow of Mozart of Beethoven but in light of the composer's inestimable contribution to classical style' (International Record Review)

'Launching his complete Clementi cycle in impressive style, Howard Shelley tosses off chains of thirds and octaves with elegant virtuosity, and brings an ideal expressive flexibility to the more personal sonatas' (Daily Telegraph)

'Wonderful playing, superb sound and a valuable addition to the catalogue' (Classic FM Magazine)

'Shelley's playing is warm and expressive throuhgout, and there's enough enjoyment here to make one look forward to the continuation of his series' (BBC Music Magazine)

'Clementi was a master of intricate structure and dynamics, as Shelley's elegant readings vividly demonstrate' (Observer)

'The sonatas 'proper' recorded here each consist of short movements. Every one is a delight; this is good-natured music deisgned to appeal, which it does with grace, civility and clarity. Brilliance is not denied, though - the 'Spritoso' opening movement of the F major work … is a rumbustious number that recalls Domenico Scarlatti's flamboyance. Slow movements are unfailingly lyrical and dance forms add elegance … Howard Shelley, his piano beautifully recorded, plays with immense style and affection, alive to the music's sparkling and intimate scale - invention that charms and invigorates. It will be fascinating to chart Clementi's later works in the genre of the sonata with Shelley as the consummate guide' (International Piano magazine)

'This first Hyperion volume of a projected complete recording of all the sonatas is cause for celebration, and not only because it is laid out chronologically. Howard Shelley has a special feel for this music, and in his hands, these marvelous pieces are indeed revealed in all their translucent textures and melodic invention. The attractive price tag (two for the price of one) together with superb sound and authoritative annotations complete a fine first helping of what should be a resounding success all around' (Classical.net)

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