The Japanese pianist and recent DG signing Nobuyuki Tsujii releases his intensely awaited debut album on DG. He has recorded Beethoven’s formidable Hammerklavier Sonata, renowned for its dual technical und intellectual challenges, which he combines with the lyricism of Liszt’s affectionate transcription of Beethoven’s An die ferne Geliebte, Op. 98 (“To the Distant Beloved”).

Nobuyuki, who learns every score by heart on account of his blindness, commented on the daunting nature of the Hammerklavier: “It’s such a long work that it’s very difficult to maintain your concentration. I spent a lot of time preparing for the recording … making the music my own. … The more you play it, the more deeply you feel it. There are aspects of Beethoven’s experience that overlap with my own – he lost his hearing but still wrote wonderful, and very difficult, pieces like this sonata. So I worked on it with great respect.”

The album comes out digitally as well as on CD, and further features a bonus track of Beethoven’s Sonata No. 8 Pathetique.

An die ferne Geliebte, Op. 98

Arr. Liszt for Solo Piano as S. 469

1. No. 1, Auf dem Hügel sitz ich, spähend - 02:27

2. No. 2, Wo die Berge so blau - 01:58

3. No. 3, Leichte Segler in den Höhen - 01:38

4. No. 4, Diese Wolken in den Höhen - 01:04

5. No. 5, Es kehret der Maien, es blühet die Au - 02:20

6. No. 6, Nimm sie hin denn, diese Lieder - 04:13

Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-Flat Major, Op. 106 "Hammerklavier"

7. I. Allegro - 11:33

8. II. Scherzo. Assai vivace - Presto - 02:45

9. III. Adagio sostenuto, appassionato e con molto sentimento - 17:41

10. IV. Largo - Allegro - Allegro risoluto - 11:48