Album

Carl Maria von Weber's piano music, with the exception of Invitation to the Dance, is not nearly as well known as his operas, but it deserves more attention. Michael Endres makes a strong case for the music in this two-disc set. The most significant works, the four sonatas, are full of drama, colorful pianism, and lyrical melodies, particularly in Endres' hands. The sonatas are on a similar scale to those of Beethoven and Schubert, with the drama built of sharp contrasts in key, humor, and dynamics, and with beautiful, cantabile slow movements. Weber, like Beethoven, also took advantage of the size and scope of the piano's sound. Endres vividly brings out the drama and the brilliance of virtuosic passages, while maintaining a sense of refinement and ease with the music. The waltzes are particularly polished, but Endres' also recognizes their folk elements and gives them a wonderful energy and sparkle. The showpieces of Weber's piano works are the sets of variations, obviously written to impress audiences. Again, Endres handles the technical challenges easily and cleanly. In the second set here, the Variations on the aria "Vien'qua dorina bella," he is always aware that the theme was originally a vocal work, playing with song-like phrasing and coloring. The sound of the recording could be a little richer, but it doesn't hurt Endres superb performance.

© Patsy Morita, Rovi

CD 1 of 2
Carl Maria von Weber Composer Piano Sonata No.1, Op.24 Work 25:20 Michael Endres Piano
1	1.Allegro	8:31			$1.49
2	2.Adagio	6:24			$0.99
3	3.Minuetto: Allegro	6:18			$0.99
4	4.Rondo: Presto	4:07			$0.99
Carl Maria von Weber Composer Piano Sonata No.2 in Ab, J.199, Op.39 Work 26:06 Michael Endres Piano
5	1.Allegro moderato, con spirito ed assai legato	9:46			$1.49
6	2.Andante	6:35			$0.99
7	3.Menuetto capriccioso. Presto assai	4:08			$0.99
8	4.Rondo: Moderato e molto grazioso	5:37			$0.99
Carl Maria von Weber Composer Piano Sonata No.3, J.206, Op.49 Work 24:46 Michael Endres Piano
9	1.Allegro feroce	10:51			$1.99
10	2.Andante con moto	7:45			$1.49
11	3.Rondo. Presto	6:10			$0.99
CD 2 of 2
Carl Maria von Weber Composer Piano Sonata No.4 in E-, J. 287, Op.70 Work 24:37 Michael Endres Piano
1	1.Moderato: Con anima	10:00			$1.99
2	2.Menuetto: Presto vivace ed energico	3:57			$0.99
3	3.Andante quasi Allegretto, consolante	6:42			$0.99
4	4.Finale: La Tarantella. Prestissimo	3:58			$0.99
Carl Maria von Weber Composer 7 Variations on an Original Theme, J.55, Op.9 Work 11:35 Michael Endres Piano
5	1.Andante	0:58			$0.99
6	2.Variation 1	0:58			$0.99
7	3.Variation 2	1:08			$0.99
8	4.Variation 3	0:41			$0.99
9	5.Variation 4	1:01			$0.99
10	6.Variation 5	1:10			$0.99
11	7.Variation 6	2:45			$0.99
12	8.Variation 7	2:54			$0.99
Carl Maria von Weber Composer 7 Variations on Bianchi's air 'Vien quà, Dorina bella,' J.53, Op.7 Work 12:40 Michael Endres Piano
13	1.Andante	1:34			$0.99
14	2.Variation 1	1:17			$0.99
15	3.Variation 2	1:06			$0.99
16	4.Variation 3	0:56			$0.99
17	5.Variation 4	1:24			$0.99
18	6.Variation 5	1:19			$0.99
19	7.Variation 6	1:53			$0.99
20	8.Variation 7	3:11			$0.99
Carl Maria von Weber Composer Grande Polonaise in Eb, J.59, Op.21 Work Michael Endres Piano
21	Grande Polonaise in Eb, J.59, Op.21	7:09			$1.49
Carl Maria von Weber Composer Invitation to the Dance, Op.65 Work Michael Endres Piano
22	Invitation to the Dance, Op.65	8:39			$1.49
Carl Maria von Weber Composer 6 Favorite Waltzes of the French Empress, Marie Louise, J.143-148 Work 8:26 Michael Endres Piano
23	1.Waltz No.1	1:10			$0.99
24	2.Waltz No.2	1:31			$0.99
25	3.Waltz No.3	1:15			$0.99
26	4.Waltz No.4	2:03			$0.99
27	5.Waltz No.5	1:18			$0.99
28	6.Waltz No.6	1:09			$0.99
Carl Maria von Weber Composer Les Adieux, Op.81 Posth. (spurious) Work Michael Endres Piano
29	Les Adieux, Op.81 Posth. (spurious; excerpt)	0:50			$0.99