Haydn’s Sonata No. 62 in E flat is his last in the genre, and was composed in 1794 for the leading pianist in London, Therese Jansen Bartolozzi. The first mvmt revels in the variety of piano textures and techniques permitted byt newly improved pianos (rich chords, switches from forte to piano). The grand opening contrasts with a quirky, light-hearted 2nd theme. The Adagio is contemplative, questioning. The Presto is witty and elegant. Beethoven’s Bagatelles (French for “Trifles”) Op. 119 were composed from the 1790s to 1820s. The publisher offered the first 6 rejected them as too small, too easy, and B’s set of 11 were published by Clementi in London. Nos. 6-11 are regarded as finer than Nos. 1-5, but all are miniature gems. Schubert’s Sonata No. 21 in B flat, completed two months before his death, is marked by lyricism and beauty, with bittersweet melodies, some hymn-like in character. The 1st mvmt is lyric and grand; the 2nd mvmt, stately and poetic; the 3rd effervescent; the 4th infused with “playful vigour,” “stubborn pugnacity” and an “ironic twinkle.” Performer: Gilbert Kalish, piano, a frequent guest at Music@Menlo.

1. Haydn Sonata No. 62, E-Flat. Allegro (9:00)
2. Haydn Sonata No. 62, E-Flat. Adagio (6:44)
3. Haydn Sonata No. 62, E-Flat. Presto (5:38)
4. Beethoven, Bagatelles, Op. 119 1. Allegretto (2:40)
5. Bagatelles. 2. Andante Con Moto (1:21)
6. Bagatelles. 3. A L'Allemande (2:19)
7. Bagatelles. 4. Andante Contabile (1:36)
8. Bagatelles. 5. Risoluto (1:25)
9. Bagatelles. 6. Andante, Allegretto Leggiermente (2:16)
10. Bagatelles. 7. Allegro Man Non Troppo (1:09)
11. Bagatelles. 8. Moderato Cantabile (1:34)
12. Bagatelles. 9. Vivace Moderato (0: 52)
13. Bagatelles. 10. (Allegramente (0:15)
14. Bagatelles. 11. Andante, Ma No Troppo (1:23)
15. Schubert. Sonata No. 21, B Flat. 1. Molto Moderato (15:13)
16. Schubert Sonata No. 21. 2. Andante Sostenuto (9:43)
17. Schubert Sonata No. 21. 3. Scherzo (4:23)
18. Schubert Sonata No. 21. 4. Allegro Ma Non Troppo (8:20)