London Broadwood Instruments In the public consciousness, Joseph Haydn is more often associated with symphonies and string quartets than with piano sonatas. Although he was quite accomplished at the piano, he did not consider himself a virtuoso. Haydn regularly began his workdays at the clavichord, harpsichord, or fortepiano to develop musical ideas before composing keyboard works. His piano compositions range from early harpsichord pieces to Sonatas Nos. 50 to 52, which were influenced by London Broadwood instruments.
With over sixty sonatas, Haydn's piano works document the development of the classical sonata form particularly impressively and comprehensively, even more so than Mozart's. One example is Sonata No. 46 in A-flat major, which was composed after Haydn's appointment as Kapellmeister and reveals a heightened musical expressiveness. The Adagio surprises with its shift to D-flat major, conveying a sense of intimacy, while the finale resolves the tension yet remains focused.
Sonata No. 43 captivates with its galant style but is less substantial. Sonatas Nos. 23 and 24 display greater originality and dramatic emphasis. Sonatas Nos. 32 and 37, in particular, illustrate Haydn's transition from a galant tone to resolute seriousness. This collection of six sonatas, composed in 1773, demonstrates a greater dramatic range than Sonata No. 43.
Sonatas Nos. 40 to 42 are characterized by complexity and intricate details, demanding a nuanced interpretation. The C major Sonata No. 50 is considered Haydn's brilliant contribution, featuring concentrated thematic development. The E-flat major Sonata No. 52 is considered Haydn's most expansive and refined piano sonata, characterized by bold harmonies and surprising turns of phrase.
These works, originally composed for private performances, differ markedly from the large-scale sonatas Haydn later wrote for professional pianists such as Therese Jansen. The cheerful and artfully crafted music culminates in the sparkling Scherzo of No. 50 and in the almost symphonic E-flat major Sonata No. 52, which is regarded as the pinnacle of Haydn's piano output.