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Music
Complete Piano Solo Sonatas:
- Op. 1: 3 sonatas f, C, G.
- Op. 4: 3 sonatas g, C, a.
- Op. 13: F
- Op. 28 (or 26): A, dedicated to J.B. Cramer.
- Op. 35: A flat, into which is introduced a Bohemian Shepherds Air.
- Op. 42 (or 40): a, for the left hand (obligato) — not left hand only.
- Grande Dramatic Sonata Op. 46 (or 48): F.
- Grand sonata dedicated to the memory of his master Joseph Haydn. Op. 56: A flat.
- Grand sonata brillant Op. 177: A flat, dedicated to Sigismond Thalberg.
The first 5 sonatas were early works, being written before 1816. With the exception of Op. 177 (1845) all of the sonatas were composed before 1822.
Two further sonatas are virtually piano solos:
- Op. 22, the piano is accompanied by violin or flute.
- Op. 39, the piano is accompanied by flute and violoncello.
Piano Duet Sonatas:
- Op. 3: C.
- Op. 76 (or 79): F, dedicated to Georges Onslow.
Other works:
- Variations on a Romance by Rousseau Op. 23.
- Rondino Op. 32.
- Il Lamento - Fantasy composed on the Death of Princess Charlotte Op. 36.
- 8th Fantasy Op. 50.
- Introduction & Rondo Op. 52.
- 3 Romances Op. 148.
- Rondo on a theme by Mr. Bishop Op. 65 (Copy bought 20 August 1823 in Berlin by Kate Bush).
- Introduction & Rondo Brillant Op. 66.
- Rondeau Villageois Op. 67.
- Effusio Musica Op. 68 (This was the composition involved in the story by Professor Marx on Kalkbrenner as an improviser).
- 24 Preludes in all major & minor keys Op. 88 - "An introduction to the art of preluding".
- Minuet & Rondo Op. 97.
- Variations on a Mazurka by Chopin Op. 120.
- Le Fou Op. 126.
- La Femme du Marin Op. 139.
- 3 Songs without words Op. 189.
- Capriccio, March & Variations (Will you come to the Bower).
- Masquerade Minuet (Don Giovanni) & Variations.
- Rondo Pastorale.
- Air de Bellini & Variations.
- 5th Fantasy: Variations & Finale on "Femme Sensible".
Studies:
- Op. 20
- Op. 108
- Op. 143
- Op. 185
Piano and Orchestra:
- Concertante for piano accompanied by strings and 2 horns.
- Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 61.
- Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 85.
Other works for piano and orcestra include 2 further piano concerti. He also wrote many more fantasies, variations, rondeaux etc for piano. Chamber music with piano.
Life
Summarised from: FETIS Biographie Musicelle (Vol 1V) Published 1869 (2nd Edition): MARMONTEL Les Pianistes Celebres(1878):
1784. According to both Fétis and Marmontel he was born in Kassel, although there seems to be some doubt. According to Grove’s Dictionary of Music and Musicians (1894), he was born in 1788 near Berlin, whereas the latest edition states that he was born early November 1895 between Kassel and Berlin. In childhood, he studied the piano and music in Kassel with his father.
1796. Went with family to Naples.
1798. Conservatoire in Paris in piano class of Louis Adam.
1799. Studied harmony with Catel.
1800. Won 2nd prize at the Conservatoire for piano.
1801. Won 1st prize for both for piano and for harmony.
1803. Quarrelled with father & went to Vienna. (Presumably at this time he was taught by Josef Haydn, since he later dedicated his piano sonata Op. 56. to Haydn from his pupil Kalkbrenner). He changed his piano style after hearing Clementi play. He wrote "Méthode de Piano" describing the technique intended to achieve regularity & independence of fingers.
1806. returned to Paris (after death of father) as teacher rather than performer.
1814. England - regarded as the most learned professor of piano. Was in England from 1814 when many compositions were published. Yearly visited his property at Rambouillet.
1817. Tour of Germany.
1818. Associated with Logier (chiroplast) the use of which involved him in controversy with other musicians.
1823. Left England and went to Germany with the Harpist Dizi. Toured Frankfurt, Leipzig, Dresden, Berlin, Prague, Vienna etc.
1824. returned Paris associated with Camille Pleyel as manufacturer of pianos which resulted in him becoming very wealthy. He became chief of a school of pianists whose pupils included Mme. Pleyel. His school was considered the ultimate development of the Clementi school of piano playing. Teaching was of free active independence of fingers & muscular strength of arms.
1828. Awarded the Légion d’Honneur.
1833. Concert tour of Germany: Hamburg & Berlin. Awarded the Order of the Red Eagle of Prussia.
1836. He went to Belgium where he was given order of Leopold. In this year he developed gout.
1839. Retired from public performance.
1849. He died of cholera at Enghien-les-Bains near Paris on 10 or 11 June.
(Marmontel (in 1878!) considered him a master of the 1st order, but old fashioned. His style seemed "démodé et poncif".)