Except his gift of music composing Beethoven possessed a remarkable gift of perceiving and describing nature, obviously enhanced by his hearing loss: if somebody is by force excluded from the society because of his handicap, he tries to find comfort in things and circumstances that remained unchanged and that he still could see, feel and touch. Nature becomes for Beethoven more and more a source where he takes his fresh music colors from; nature also unites two “pastoral” piano sonatas Nos. 21 and 30 performed today. The dreamy and gentle sonata No. 21 dedicated to Beethoven´s friend and patron count Waldstein is also widely known as "L'Aurora" – The Dawn Sonata without any trace of pathos Beethoven is famous for.

Cicero meant once, people are like wines: age is bettering the good ones. It definitely applies to Beethoven and his compositions, and the piano sonata No. 30, one of his last ones, proves it convincingly. Its clear, transparent and unadorned melody fascinates one and is shockingly heartfelt. The late Beethoven is ruthlessly honest about his joys and sufferings, and this honesty, fixed in the note lines, moves us now as then.

Not every pianist is able to play late Beethoven – but we are lucky today: both sonatas will be performed by maestro Haiou Zhang. Despite his young age the outstanding Chinese pianist has made amazing progress: the first prize of the V International Competition for Young Pianists in Memory of Vladimir Horowitz, a brilliant international career, teaching activity in Europe and artistic direction of various musical festivals.   

Ludwig van Beethoven

Piano sonata No. 30 in E major, op.109

1. Vivace ma non troppo – Adagio espressivo
2. Prestissimo
3. Andante, molto cantabile con expressivo.

Piano sonata No. 21 in C major, op.23  

1. Allegro con brio
2. Introduzione: Adagio molto
3. Rondo. Allegretto moderato – Prestissimo