LEOPOLD KOŽELUCH (1747–1818)

COMPLETE KEYBOARD SONATAS • 7

KEMP ENGLISH

Leopold Koželuch, the great Czech contemporary of Mozart, won enormous prestige in his adopted city of Vienna. His sequence of keyboard sonatas, written over a four-decade span, exemplifies the high-Classic style and comprises some of the greatest such works of their time. This volume focuses on the years 1788-89 by which time Koželuch’s command of form and texture proves as daring as his harmonic palette. There is rhythmic vivacity in the opening movements of Nos. 25 and 28 and the beautiful Siciliana of No. 27 shows the increasing profundity of his slow movements. The same sonata’s finale is a breath-taking rollercoaster of vitality.

About this Recording

Leopold Koželuch, the great Czech contemporary of Mozart, won enormous prestige in his adopted city of Vienna. His sequence of keyboard sonatas, written over a four-decade span, exemplifies the high-Classic style and comprises some of the greatest such works of their time. This volume focuses on the years 1788-89 by which time Koželuch’s command of form and texture proves as daring as his harmonic palette. There is rhythmic vivacity in the opening movements of Nos. 25 and 28 and the beautiful Siciliana of No. 27 shows the increasing profundity of his slow movements. The same sonata’s finale is a breath-taking rollercoaster of vitality.

KEMP ENGLISH

Kemp English is one of New Zealand’s leading concert performers. Much in demand as a solo organist, collaborative pianist, and specialist fortepiano exponent, he relishes the opportunity to work in a diverse array of styles and periods. He enjoyed a distinguished studentship at the Royal Academy of Music in London and later completed a Master of Arts degree in Music Performance at the University of York. In 2001 he was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music – an honour recognising former students of the Academy who have achieved distinction in the profession.