London Connection

‘I just want to tell you that I came to a really satisfactory arrangement with Clementi – I shall receive £200 and besides I am privileged to sell the same works in Germany and France. He has also offered me other commissions’ Beethoven wrote to his friend Count Franz Brunsvik in May 1806. His dealings with fellow composer and pianist turned piano maker and publisher is one of the most interesting in Beethoven’s intricate ties with London. Clementi published the 4th Symphony, the op59 Quartets Violin Concerto and commissioned the transcription of the concerto heard on this album. England was at the forefront of piano development in the early 1800s, and Clementi ‘s former pupil ‘that very clever fellow’ the composer and pianist Johann Baptist (‘Glorious’ John) Cramer was also a major figure in the development of both piano playing and instrument building in London. As a pianist, Cramer was the only contemporary Beethoven really admired – not a ‘note spinner’ as Beethoven called others. Cramer is credited with creating the nickname for Beethoven’s 5th piano concerto ‘Emperor’.

This is a fascinating programme from Dejan Lazic who had some interesting detective work tracking down the score of the Cramer. His sonata is wonderful music that deserves to be heard, and Dejan is a superb advocate for Clementi & Cramer as well as Beethoven.

Beethoven:
 Piano Concerto in D major, arranged by the composer after the Violin Concerto, Op. 61a

Clementi:
 Piano Sonata in B minor, Op. 40, No. 2

Cramer, J B:
 Sonata in E Major Op. 62 'Le Retour à Londres'