Beethoven: Sonata in G no.2 inspired by Anton Schindler’s account.

This recording is inspired by Anton Schindler’s remarkable account of Beethoven’s performance of the movement. Although dismissed by many academics due to his notorious forgeries in Beethoven’s conversation books, others have made a case that there could be important clues in his writings that hint at genuine aspects of Beethoven’s performing style around the time Schindler knew him (1822-24). These include especially George Barth in his book ’The Pianist as Orator: Beethoven and the Transformation of Keyboard Style.’ Whilst this style of performance might seem to some pianists preposterous based on received tradition, the field of study is constantly changing and early recordings and piano rolls provide additional evidence of earlier 19th-century tastes being different to what we are used to today. I quote a leading expert and author in this field, Clive Brown: ’From practical experience I am now convinced that the essentially expressive and affective character of late eighteenth-