Between classical and early romantic:
CRAMER - Piano Sonatas
Johann Baptiste Cramer (1771-1858) was an important pianist and composer of the Classical and early Romantic periods. Born in Mannheim and later based in London, Cramer was a central figure in the European music scene of his time. His reputation as a virtuoso pianist was matched by his work as a teacher and composer, in particular his contributions to the development of piano technique and pedagogy. Although Cramer's piano sonatas are less frequently performed today, they are remarkable for their elegance and artistry. They exhibit the stylistic characteristics of classical music, with clear forms, balanced phrases and an emphasis on expressive melodies. However, the works also anticipate the more emotional and technically demanding aspects of Romanticism. Cramer often uses a wide dynamic range and complicated finger technique in his sonatas, which demands a high degree of technical skill from the performer. Cramer's sonatas are traditionally structured, usually in three or four movements, and reflect the influence of his contemporaries such as Mozart and Beethoven. However, his own voice is evident in the lyrical beauty of the slow movements and the lively, often playful character of the final movements. His works were highly regarded by later composers, including Beethoven, who considered Cramer's piano technique to be exemplary.

In this recording, Simone Pierini interprets the works on the fortepiano. Pierini was born in Rome in 1996 and began studying music at the age of eight. At the age of 18, he completed his piano studies at the Santa Cecilia Conservatory in Rome with top honors. He then became interested in historically-informed piano playing and attended master classes with Alexei Lyubimov, Andreas Staier, Tobias Koch and Stefano Fiuzzi. Subsequently, his interest in historical keyboard instruments in general deepened and he began to study harpsichord and basso continuo with teachers such as Andrea Coen and Giovanni Togni. His recordings of works by Cherubini (jpc 11125133) and the complete piano sonatas by Hélène de Montgeroult (jpc 11530476) were very well received by the press. Classic FM nominated him as one of the 30 best musicians under 30 in 2024.