Nicolas Altstaedt – Beethoven: Complete Works for Fortepiano and Violoncello (2020) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Beethoven’s output for fortepiano and violoncello is fascinating because it covers every period of his career, from early to late, with references to Bach in Op. 69 and Op. 102 No. 2 and an especially innovative and amazingly modern musical language. For this complete set, which includes the Variations on a theme from Handel’s “Judas Maccabaeus” and the Variations on a theme from Mozart’s “Die Zauberflöte”, Nicolas Altstaedt was keen to record on an instrument with gut strings, a Guadagnini from Piacenza dated 1749, and using a Classical bow.

Alexander Lonquich, his faithful recital partner – they been inseparable companions since the day Altstaedt replaced his teacher Boris Pergamenschikow for a concert of Beethoven sonatas with Lonquich at the Beethovenfest in Bonn in 2004 – here plays a Graf fortepiano of 1826. The combination of these instruments produces a finely balanced sound and exceptional tone colours. This recording is Nicolas Altstaedt’s first for Alpha as a soloist. Others will follow, in very different genres, for eclecticism is the hallmark of this musician, among the most promising of the new generation.

Tracklist:
1. Nicolas Altstaedt – 12 Variations on “See the Conqu’ring Hero Comes” in G Major, WoO 45 (12:14)
2. Nicolas Altstaedt – Sonata No. 1 in F Major, Op. 5 No. 1: I. Adagio sostenuto (02:46)
3. Nicolas Altstaedt – Sonata No. 1 in F Major, Op. 5 No. 1: II. Allegro (14:09)
4. Nicolas Altstaedt – Sonata No. 1 in F Major, Op. 5 No. 1: III. Allegro vivace (06:47)
5. Nicolas Altstaedt – Sonata No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 5 No. 2: I. Adagio sostenuto ed espressivo (05:33)
6. Nicolas Altstaedt – Sonata No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 5 No. 2: II. Allegro molto più tosto presto (13:59)
7. Nicolas Altstaedt – Sonata No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 5 No. 2: III. Rondo. Allegro (08:31)
8. Nicolas Altstaedt – 12 Variations on “Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen” in F Major, Op. 66 (09:45)
9. Nicolas Altstaedt – I. Allegro, ma non troppo (12:10)
10. Nicolas Altstaedt – II. Scherzo. Allegro molto – Trio (05:05)
11. Nicolas Altstaedt – III. Adagio – Allegro vivace (08:29)
12. Nicolas Altstaedt – 7 Variations on “Bei Männern Welche Liebe Fühlen” in E-Flat Major, WoO 46 (09:16)
13. Nicolas Altstaedt – Ia. Andante (02:45)
14. Nicolas Altstaedt – Ib. Allegro vivace (05:04)
15. Nicolas Altstaedt – IIa. Adagio (02:54)
16. Nicolas Altstaedt – IIb. Allegro vivace (04:24)
17. Nicolas Altstaedt – I. Allegro con brio (06:39)
18. Nicolas Altstaedt – II. Adagio con molto sentimento d’affetto (08:58)
19. Nicolas Altstaedt – III. Allegro (04:45)