CCLV. HAYDN, Franz Joseph: Piano Sonata #13 in G Major

CCLV. HAYDN, Franz Joseph (1732-1809)

Sonata for Piano #13 in G Major (1766)
1. Allegro
2. Minuet & Trio
3. Adagio
4. Finale. Allegro molto
Baichao Lan, piano
(11:14)

I have an ongoing project where I make a note of the attitudes of conductors of Beethoven's symphonies regarding repeats.

For example, very few take the first ending of the long exposition of the Eroica (see Post XXIX), and I can never decide how I really feel about it!

There is unique music in that first ending that is seldom heard in most interpretations. On the other hand, it is exceedingly long, despite the great character of the music. To wait that long for the development section seems like lunacy.

**

I can't decide if I agree with this guy's decision to ignore every single repeat -- including those in the minuet & trio! On the one hand, it seems an outrageous pompous gesture; on the other, why do we need to hear everything twice? The da capo after the trio brings back the minuet a second time, in any case.

**

This young man knows how to ornament. His choices are tasteful and well-received.

It is most likely that Haydn was still writing these sonatas for harpsichord (dynamic markings insinuating the use of a pianoforte didn't appear until later), but almost everyone performs it on piano.

First Movement

Second Movement

Third Movement

Beethoven would extend the idea of that long right-hand trill to nearly unplayable lengths in his later piano sonatas!

Fourth Movement

Any Haydn piano sonata brightens up a recital, like a sparkling flute of really really good champagne.