BEETHOVEN Piano Sonatas, Volume 4 Christian Leotta, piano ACD2 2489 [2-CD set] “… I was struck by Christian Leotta's strict adherence to Beethoven's markings in the music.   He observed every nuance of dynamics and phrasing and, especially, pedaling. He has a powerful technique that gives him the fluency and strength on the keyboard, and his musical intelligence is compelling … unquestionably, this gifted and intelligent young pianist has a great deal to offer, and his Beethoven cycle, when completed, should prove to be of estimable interest.” - Fanfare, U.S.A. January/February 2011 Italian pianist Christian Leotta returns with Volume IV of his complete cycle of Beethoven's piano sonatas. Christian Leotta has been defined by the legendary Rosalyn Tureck as “an extraordinary talent with a beautiful innate musicality,” and the great Karl Ulrich Schnabel wrote about him: “his respect of the indications of the Classical and Romantic composers is perfect and their understanding considerable.” Highlights of the present season include, among others, concerts as soloist and with orchestra in Europe and the Americas, a tour in the Far East and the recording of “Volume V” of his Beethoven 32 Piano Sonatas 10 CD set for ATMA Classique, to be released in January 2013. PROGRAMME | PROGRAM CD. 1       Piano Sonata No.26 in E flat major, Op.81a “Les Adieux”     [ 19:05 ]       mi bémol majeur | mi bemolle maggiore   1.   I. Das Lebewohl (Les Adieux): Adagio - Allegro     [ 8:07 ]   2.  II. Abwesenheit (L'Absence): Andante espressivo     [ 4:37 ]   3. III. Das Wiedersehen (Le Retour): Vivacissimamente     [ 6:27 ]       Piano Sonata No.5 in C minor, Op.10, No.1     [ 19:32 ]       do mineur | do minore   4.   I. Allegro molto e con brio     [ 6:08 ]   5.  II. Adagio molto     [ 9:14 ]   6. III. Prestissimo     [ 4:70 ]       Piano Sonata No.15 in D major, Op.28 “Pastoral”     [ 27:45 ]       ré majeur | re maggiore   7.   I. Allegro     [ 11:26 ]   8.  II. Andante     [ 7:79 ]   9. III. Scherzo: Allegro vivace     [ 3:02 ] 10. IV. Rondo: Allegro ma non troppo     [ 5:58 ] CD 2       Piano Sonata No.1 in F minor, Op.2, No.1     [ 23:09 ]       fa mineur | fa minore   1.   I. Allegro     [ 5:40 ]   2.  II. Adagio     [ 5:57 ]   3. III. Menuetto: Allegretto     [ 3:46 ]   4. IV. Prestissimo     [ 7:52 ]       Piano Sonata No.4 in E flat major, Op.7       mi bémol majeur | mi bemolle maggiore   5.   I. Allegro molto e con brio     [ 8:00 ]   6.  II. Largo, con gran espressione     [ 10:05 ]   7. III. Allegro     [ 5:53 ]   8. IV. Rondo: Poco allegretto e grazioso     [ 7:46 ]       Piano Sonata No.27 in E minor, Op.90     [ 15:07 ]       mi mineur | mi minore   9.   I. Mit Lebhaftigkeit und durchaus mit Empfindung und Ausdruck     [ 6:28 ]             (Con vivacità e sempre con sentimento ed espressione) 10.  II. Nicht zu geschwind und sehr singbar vorgetragen     [ 8:33 ]             (Non troppo vivo e assai cantabile) ATMA Classique is distributed in Australia by Rockian Trading PO Box 44, Briar Hill, Vic, 3088, Australia Telephone +61 (0)3 9432 4149 ~ Facsimile +61 (0)3 9444 6879