JOHANN BAPTIST CRAMER (1771-1858)

AIR ANGLO-CALÉDONIEN VARIÉ
PIANO SONATA OP. 25, NO. 2
LA GIGUE - PIANO SONATA OP. 39, NO. 3
PIANO SONATA OP. 27, NO. 1

MATTEO NAPOLI

“As a performer, one comes across certain composers' works that seem to be confined to an early stage of their development. For me, Cramer was one such example, and I felt compelled to look beyond his challenging études to establish if there were other works worthy of attention. Being such a versatile musician, I felt Cramer must have produced some first-class compositions, less pedagogical than studies, and the discovery of his sonatas and other short pieces proved the point. In them, we sense a talent unfolding into something new, which I am pleased to be able to share with you.”

– Matteo Napoli

About this Recording

Johann Baptist Cramer made his name in London and Europe as one of the leading pianists of the day. His virtuoso skills at the keyboard can be heard in the florid and playful Variations on an Anglo-Caledonian Air and the ebullient Sonata Op. 25, No. 2. Beginning with an operatic slow introduction marked Patetico e lento, followed by a dramatic Allegro, the Sonata Op. 27, No. 1 anticipates Beethoven in its emotional range.

MATTEO NAPOLI

Matteo Napoli was born in Salerno and is now resident in Auckland, New Zealand. He is an honours graduate of the Giordano Conservatory (Foggia). Early in his career he captured worldwide attention winning many competitions, including First Prize in the International Liszt Competition at Lucca in 1986. He has performed in Europe, as well as in New York, Mexico City, São Paolo, Japan, Australia, China and Malaysia. As a soloist, he has appeared with a number of orchestras, including the Orchestra da Camera di Firenze, Brasov Philharmonic, Ofunam Philharmonic Orchestra, Tirana Opera House, Cyprus Chamber Orchestra, NSO of Malaysia, and, in New Zealand, the Manukau Symphony Orchestra and Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. In Auckland (2003) he gave the first modern performance of Piano Concerto No. 6 by Ferdinand Ries, with Uwe Grodd as conductor, followed by the European première in Romania and a further performance with the NSO of Malaysia (2004). He is an artist teacher at the University of Auckland.