Description
Likely composed around 1784, during a period when Haydn was writing with an eye toward Viennese publication, this sonata shows freer harmony and development than his earlier B-flat major works. It makes fuller use of the fortepiano's expressive range. At about eight minutes and twenty seconds, it is concise yet reveals a mature compositional voice within its compact form. With nearly five thousand notes, it calls for advanced players to maintain tempo while carefully shaping each harmonic shift.
Sonatas across a range of instrumentations, including piano parts from violin sonatas, spanning Classical to Romantic styles.
About the Composer
Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
Franz Joseph Haydn was a leading Classical-era composer from Austria who spent much of his career in service to the Esterhazy family. Often called the "father of the symphony" and the "father of the string quartet," he helped establish the Viennese Classical style with clear forms and witty invention. His numerous keyboard sonatas also served as a bridge to Mozart and Beethoven. This site includes 60 of his works, including movements from Sonatas Hob. XVI:27 and 28.
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