Presents
Ignaz Moscheles
Sonata for Violoncello & Piano in E Major, Op.121
Ignaz Moscheles dedicated his sonata, which he finished in 1851, to Robert Schumann, an interesting choice perhaps since Schumann was not a cellist, although the two were friends. Later Schumann's wife Clara arranged the sonata for piano fourhands. The opening Allegro is both expressive and impassioned. The second movmeent, Scherzo, is subtitled Ballabile, which is a kind of ballet dance, The music is in fact dance-like and rather elegant. The third movement, Andantino-Allegretto, is marked, Ballad in the Bohemian style. Moscheles born and raised in Prague, would have been familiar with such music and the alternating slow and fast sections are rather like a Dumka. The finale, Allegro vivace ma non troppo, is upbeat full of energy but also with lovely lyrical melodies.
Ignaz Moscheles (1794-1870) was one of the top piano virtuosi of the first part of the 19th century, he first studied piano at the Prague Conservatory with Bedrich Weber and later in London with Muzio Clementi. He also studied composition, but in Vienna with Albrectsberger and Salieri. Besides his career as a touring soloist, he was also a renown teacher, Mendelssohn being one of his many students, and an esteemed composer. He was a friend of Mendelssohn and of Beethoven who admired his works and on friendly terms with Schumann and several other important musicians of the day and was himself one of the most prominent musicians of that era.
We have reprinted the original Kistner edition and recommend this fine work for recital performance.
Parts: $29.95
