Galuppi Piano Sonatas, volume 4
Peter Seivewright was amongst the first musicians to seriously research (in 1994) the 100+ keyboard sonatas by Venetian composer Galuppi, also famed as a pioneer of opera buffa. While others have since come to appreciate and record the fine variety and novelty of these works, for many personal and career reasons, Seivewright’s series was held up after volume 3 was released in 2004 but is now back on track with this intermediate album which includes also the G major Piano Concerto. Many of the sonatas have had to be reconstructed from single movement manuscripts. They show amazing diversity, from single-movement works to two- and three-movement pieces, and from traditional baroque style to a Romanticism prescient of Schumann. Seivewright strongly believes that the works were specifically written for the pianoforte rather than harpsichord due to their frequent need for sostenuto and other factors.
Peter Seivewright studied at Oxford then at the Royal Northern College of Music. He has performed extensively as recitalist and concerto soloist and has taught in colleges around the world, from Scotland to Trinidad to Afghanistan and most recently in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Find Volume 1 | Volume 2 | Volume 3
Track Listing
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Baldassare Galuppi (1706-1785):
- Piano Sonata in D major - I. Poco allegretto (2:12)
- Piano Sonata in D major - II. Spiritoso - III. Tema e sei variazioni (7:30)
- Piano Sonata in D minor - I. Lento non troppo (2:13)
- Piano Sonata in D minor - II. Vigoroso (1:20)
- Piano Sonata in F major - I. Moderato (1:04)
- Piano Sonata in F major - II. Allegro (1:43)
- Piano Sonata in G major in one movement (2:06)
- Piano Sonata in C major - I. Andante (4:19)
- Piano Sonata in C major - II. Allegro (1:50)
- Piano Sonata in E flat major - I. Cantabile (3:50)
- Piano Sonata in E flat major - II. Allegro moderato (2:32)
- Piano Sonata in E flat major - III. Allegro (1:14)
- Piano Sonata in G major in one movement (2:58)
- Piano Sonata in F major - I. Andante (3:12)
- Piano Sonata in F major - II. Allegro assai (1:37)
- Piano Sonata in F major - III. Allegro assai (1:45)
- Piano Concerto in G major - I. Allegro (2:51)
- Piano Concerto in G major - II. Andantino con moto (1:36)
- Piano Concerto in G major - III. Allegro (3:47)
Reviews
“Seivewright is an extremely assured pianist, with a light, confident and colourful touch; he explores the virtuosity of the music and the tonality of the instrument with a generous use of the sustaining pedal. His playing is clean, neat and well-toned. Seivewright’s fleetness of touch is excellent.
” —Penelope Cave
“Seivewright performs these works with consummate skill. He has a knack for good phrasing, and in the slower movements he is careful to allow both technique and lyricism to emerge. Every bit as fine as the previous three [volumes]. Recommended.
” —Bertil van Boer
“Galant in style, but quite refreshing… this can be recommended for the skill of the performer and the delightful creativity within the confines of the historical period.
” —Alan Becker
“Aside from the sheer delight that Seivewright’s playing brings to the soul of this listener, we are stunned by the rich variety and charm of Galuppi’s music. The CD is handsome in design, brilliantly annotated by Seivewright [and] delivers an uncomplicated, faithfully-recorded sound .Peter Seivewright’s fourth volume will undergo a severe test in my home study by being subjected to repeated replays, so much do I enjoy it.
” —Rafael de Acha
“The form and style of these piano sonatas runs the gamut from baroque to classical and even pushes towards early romanticism. They are all quite pleasant to listen to. The playing by Peter Seivewright and the Scottish Baroque Soloists (in the concerto) is excellent. There is always clarity of line and fluidity of invention.
” —John France
“A CD that’s impossible to dislike… its purity does wonders for an over-busy brain. Seivewright plays with simplicity and grace. The music has got real charm.
” —Jeremy Condliffe
“Galuppi’s sonatas are a model of simplicity, lyricality and buoyancy. Peter Seivewright plays it all with the charm and enthusiasm it demands. It is disarming music that makes a point not to be profound and that is refreshing.
” —Grego Edwards
