The Beethoven Connection Vol.2: Berger, Clementi, Czerny, Hummel
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LUDWIG BERGER / MUZIO CLEMENTI / CARL CZERNY / JOHANN NEPOMUK HUMMEL
The Beethoven Connection Vol.2: Berger, Clementi, Czerny, Hummel
Jean-Efflam Bavouzet (piano)
[ Chandos / CD ]
Release Date: Friday 9 October 2026
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Jean-Efflam Bavouzet continues his survey of works by Beethoven's contemporaries with this second volume featuring works by Hummel, Clementi, Berger, and Czerny. The pianist comments: 'The deeper I delve into the universe of composers contemporaneous with Beethoven, the clearer I perceive the nature of his originality and the power of his genius, that which he was able to take from others, or that which inspired them. Would this series, The Beethoven Connection, then, not have any further aims than to magnify the genius of Beethoven? Of course it does! If I may make a geographical analogy, a great mountain never rises isolated in the landscape. It is always surrounded by other mountains, perhaps not so great but in the absence of which it would not appear so impressive! We had better climb all of them for from each summit we are offered a different view of the others! It is with great enthusiasm that I have prepared this programme, conceived, like that of the first volume, on the counsel of that eminent specialist on this period, my friend Marc Vignal - an enthusiasm which rests on the incontestable qualities of this music and the joy of the opportunity to rediscover it!'
"Such a good idea, this. So much to explore - and with such a good pianist. Bavouzet, among the most revered and quietly celebrated musicians of the day, brought out Volume 1 of his chosen connections with Beethoven in 2020: sonatas by Wölfl, Clementi, Hummel and Dussek (7/20). Six years later, the woefully under-appreciated Johann Nepomuk makes the cut once more with his second essay in sonata form dedicated 'au célèbre Haydn' - understandably so, for the Grande Sonate, Op 13 (c1805, a full 13 years after his C major Sonata No 1) is Haydnesque in its high spirits, unexpected twists and turns and general bonhomie. At least, in the outer movements: the central Adagio con gran espressione takes on a more Beethovenian hue. (Incidentally, I can find no mention in the first movement of a sostenuto quasi organo indication referred to in the informative but severe booklet either in the first edition or my Litolff score, though there is the unexpected marking 'Alleluia' over seven bars in the coda.) Of the exuberant finale, Bavouzet writes of the 'extremely elaborate polyphonic writing' that it is 'devilishly difficult!' I'd buy the recording for the Hummel sonata alone. Hugely enjoyable." Gramophone Editor's Choice Oct 26
Tracks:
LUDWIG BERGER
Piano Sonata in C minor, Op.1 "Grand Sonata pathétique"
MUZIO CLEMENTI
Piano Sonatas (2), Op.34
- No.2 in G minor
CARL CZERNY
Funeral March in C minor on the Death of Ludwig van Beethoven, Op.146
JOHANN NEPOMUK HUMMEL
Piano Sonata No.2 in E‑flat major, Op.13
