WEBER: KEYBOARD WORKS-A PERIOD INTERPRETATION. John Khouri, fortepiano.

Description “Repeated listening will open up a fascinating new musical realm. Recommended.” – Christopher Brodersen, Continuo Weber wrote his piano works for his own use and, as he was an amazing pianist with enormously wide hands which were capable of the most astonishing technical feats, his piano works present technical challenges which approach the études of Chopin in difficulty. His first sonata is filled with freakishly difficult passages which remove the work from the reach of all but the most accomplished technicians. The second sonata has always been the most popular of Weber’s four piano sonatas. Its first two movements are ardently romantic and very operatic while the finale exploits Weber’s extraordinary ability for widely spaced fingerwork. John Khouri, one of the most active early piano specialists in the Western United States, here presents spirited interpretations of these works on a carefully restored Pfister grand piano constructed in Weber’s time. Mr. Khouri has previously recorded CDs devoted to period interpretations of Mozart, Chopin, and the London piano school composers. This was his first recording for Music & Arts, reissued by popular demand. WEBER: KEYBOARD WORKS-A PERIOD INTERPRETATION. CARL MARIA VON WEBER: Two Piano Sonatas: No. 1 in C. Op. 24 & No. 2 in A-flat, Op. 39; Invitation to the Dance, Op. 65. John Khouri, playing a fortepiano, constructed by Jacob Pfister, c. 1815. Total time: 60:43 (DDD) UPC # 0-17685-09832 Sound Clips (MP3): 1. Aufforderung zum Tanze (Invitation to the Dance), Op- 65, J- 260 – John Khouri 2. Piano Sonata No- 1 in C major, Op- 24, J- 138 I- Allegro – John Khouri 3. Piano Sonata No- 1 in C major, Op- 24, J- 138 II- Adagio – John Khouri 4. Piano Sonata No- 1 in C major, Op- 24, J- 138 III- Minuetto Allegro – Trio – Poco ritenuto – John Khouri 5. Piano Sonata No- 1 in C major, Op- 24, J- 138 IV- Rondo Presto – John Khouri 6. Piano Sonata No- 2 in A flat major, Op- 39, J- 199 I- Allegro moderato, con spirito e assai legato – John Khouri 7. Piano Sonata No- 2 in A flat major, Op- 39, J- 199 II- Andante – John Khouri 8. Piano Sonata No- 2 in A flat major, Op- 39, J- 199 III- Menuetto capriccioso Presto assai – Trio – John Khouri 9. Piano Sonata No- 2 in A flat major, Op- 39, J- 199 IV- Rondo Moderato e molto grazioso – John Khouri