JEAN-FRÉDÉRIC EDELMANN (1749-1794): Keyboard Sonatas, Op. 1, Nos. 3, 4 & 6, Op. 2, Nos. 1, 2, 3 & 6, Op. 5, Nos. 1-4, Op. 6, Nos. 1-3, Op. 7, Nos. 1 & 2, Op. 8, Nos. 1 & 3 and Op. 10, Nos. 1-3.

Description: A Strasbourg musician guillotined during the Reign of Terror, Edelmann was one of the piano's premier supporters in France and he produced a significant series of keyboard works which are passionate, theatrical and expressive - prophetic, even of early Romanticism. The pieces on the first disc date from 1775 and 1776 and will appeal to anyone who is interested in this period of French music, much of which still is murky and unknown. His opus 5 - innovative and recalling C.P.E. Bach as well as looking ahead to Beethoven and Schubert - and his opus 7 - conservative pieces paying homage to the baroque suite, fill the second. Dating from 1778-82, the sonatas on the third disc (played on a fortepiano) are miniature dramas, dripping with intense emotion, with movement headings straight out of the Romantic period. At times they sound like reductions of orchestral originals, such is Edelmann's gift of color. 3 CDs. Sylvie Pecot-Douatte (harpsichord, fortepiano). Original 1999 (01A045), (07B039) and 2000 (12C021) Calliope releases.