J. L. Dussek – Sonata in E-flat Major "Les Adieux", Op. 44 (Pleshakov)

Описание: 0:00 – 1. Introduzione – Allegro moderato
7:29 – 2. Molto adagio e sostenuto
15:06 – 3. Tempo di minuetto piu tosto allegro
17:31 – 4. Rondo: Allegro moderato ed espressivo

Dussek's Les Adieux sonata was conceived ten years before Beethoven's, likely as a farewell to London after moving to Hamburg. However, due to daring key relations and chromaticisms it makes an impression of actually having been composed later. Beethoven's is much more compressed and compact in form though – more economical means to an end might be considered as a sign of greater maturity. There are many similarities except for the obvious program title and E-flat major tonality: slow introduction of the first movement (which gives breeding ground for the themes in the exposition), similar rhythmical structure of the first subject of the second movement, or its lieder-like second subject. Although it is easy to find analogies when it is one's intention to do so and it is not at all suggested that the two sonatas necessarily match in quality, it is worth acknowledging Dussek's primacy in some regards. It is also interesting to watch how the two composers influenced each other.

Composer – Jan Ladislav Dusík/Dussek (1760–1812)
Piano – Vladimir Pleshakov
Year of recording – 1972

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