JOHANN WILHELM HÄSSLER (1747–1822)

360 PRELUDES IN ALL MAJOR KEYS AND MINOR KEYS, OP. 47
SONATA NO. 6 IN A MINOR
FANTAISIE ET SONATE IN C MAJOR, OP. 4
GRANDE SONATE IN E FLAT MAJOR, OP. 26

VITLAUS VON HORN

“There are only two ways of thinking about Johann Wilhelm Hässler (1747–1822), either as a justifiably forgotten footnote in the history of German/Russian music, or as nothing less than a minor genius. Over the long nine years that took to complete this project, I alternated between these two views.

I think he was a minor genius now. This two-CD set presents, for the first time, Hässler's magnum opus, 360 Preludes in All Keys, and his second magnum opus, the Grande Sonate. It is likely to be nothing less than revelatory to the listener.” – Vitlaus von Horn

Buy/Stream
HÄSSLER, J.W.: 360 Preludes in All Major and Minor Keys / Fantaisie et Sonate, Op. 4 / Grande Sonate, Op. 26
GP686-87
Listen to an excerpt from
Grande Sonate in E-flat major, Op. 26: III. Rondo
JOHANN WILHELM HÄSSLER
JOHANN WILHELM HÄSSLER
(1747–1822)

About this Recording

Johann Wilhelm Hässler is remembered by musicologists for his contest in organ playing with Mozart, but the mostly premiere recordings show him to be an astonishing enigma whose predilection for composing miniatures reached a pinnacle with the 360 Preludes in All Keys. This remarkable tour de force shows an amazing control of textures and not insignificant humour, its style ranging from CPE Bach’s Empfindsamkeit to prophetic insights anticipating Schumann. The Grande Sonate is a true masterpiece that compares in scope, invention and effect with the best of Haydn’s sonatas.

CD 1

360 PRELUDES IN ALL MAJOR KEYS AND MINOR KEYS, OP. 47
(1817) * (77:58)
1
15 Preludes in C major (04:05)
2
15 Preludes in C minor (03:15)
3
15 Preludes in G major (02:31)
4
15 Preludes in G minor (03:02)
5
15 Preludes in D major (02:45)
6
15 Preludes in D minor (03:47)
7
15 Preludes in A major (03:51)
8
15 Preludes in A minor (03:45)
9
15 Preludes in E major (03:22)
10
15 Preludes in E minor (03:24)
11
15 Preludes in B major (04:04)
12
15 Preludes in B minor (03:41)
13
15 Preludes in F sharp major (03:40)
14
15 Preludes in F sharp minor (05:00)
15
15 Preludes in C sharp major (05:50)
16
15 Preludes in C sharp minor (06:11)
17
15 Preludes in A flat major (06:12)
18
15 Preludes in G sharp minor (04:27)
19
15 Preludes in E flat major (05:06)
* WORLD PREMIÈRE RECORDING

TOTAL TIME: 77:58

CD 2

360 PRELUDES IN ALL MAJOR KEYS AND MINOR KEYS, OP. 47
(1817) * (28:44)
1
15 Preludes in E flat minor (03:33)
2
15 Preludes in B flat major (04:50)
3
15 Preludes in B flat minor (06:00)
4
15 Preludes in F major (04:18)
5
15 Preludes in F minor (10:03)
6 KEYBOARD SONATAS: NO. 6 IN A MINOR (10:47)
6
I. Poco allegro (04:04)
7
II. Largo (01:48)
8
III. Presto (04:55)
FANTAISIE ET SONATE IN C MAJOR, OP. 4 (11:25)
9
Fantasia: Allegro (02:01)
10
Sonata: I. Vivace (01:51)
11
Sonata: II. Recitativo – Moderato – Allegro di molto – Recitativo (03:18)
12
Sonata: III. Andante (02:08)
13
Sonata: IV. Allegro (02:07)
GRANDE SONATE IN E FLAT MAJOR, OP. 26 * (21:37)
14
I. Moderato (07:05)
15
II. Adagio (07:23)
16
III. Rondo: Presto (07:09)

TOTAL TIME: 72:34

VITLAUS VON HORN

VITLAUS VON HORN

Vitlaus von Horn was the first (and so far the only) pianist to perform the complete piano solo works of Sergey Prokofiev in concert. Having reached the pinnacle of his career and unable to top this achievement, he took a quarter-century-long sabbatical from piano, interrupted only by world premiere recordings of the complete works for piano and orchestra by Charles-Valentin Alkan on Naxos [8.553702] and of JW Hässler’s monumental cycle 360 Preludes in All Keys. Von Horn’s musical pedigree goes back to Beethoven himself, through Medtner, Leszetycki and Czerny.

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