Matthieu Cognet

1. 01 – Robert Schumann – Humoreske in B-flat major Op. 20 – I. Einfach (Sehr rasch und leicht)
   
2. 02 – Robert Schumann – Humoreske in B-flat major Op. 20 – II. Hastig
   
3. 03 – Robert Schumann – Humoreske in B-flat major Op. 20 – III. Einfach und zart (Intermezzo)
   
4. 04 – Robert Schumann – Humoreske in B-flat major Op. 20 – IV. Innig
   
5. 05 – Robert Schumann – Humoreske in B-flat major Op. 20 – V. Sehr lebhaft (Mit einigem Pomp)
   
6. 06 – Robert Schumann – Humoreske in B-flat major Op. 20 – VI. Zum Beschluss (Adagio – Allegro)
   
7. 07 – Sergei Prokofiev – Four Pieces Op. 4 – I. Souvenir – Tranquillo
   
8. 08 – Sergei Prokofiev – Four Pieces Op. 4 – II. Elan – Molto allegro
   
9. 09 – Sergei Prokofiev – Four Pieces Op. 4 – III. Desespoir – Andante con agitazione e dolore
   
10. 10 – Sergei Prokofiev – Four Pieces Op. 4 – IV. Suggestion diabolique – Prestissimo fantastico
    
11. 11 – Joseph Haydn – Sonata in C Major Hob XVI50 Op.79 – I. Allegro
    
12. 12 – Joseph Haydn – Sonata in C Major Hob XVI50 Op.79 – II. Adagio
    
13. 13 – Joseph Haydn – Sonata in C Major Hob XVI50 Op.79 – III. Allegro molto
    
14. 14 – Bela Bartok – Piano Sonata BB 88 (Sz. 80) – I. Allegro moderato
    
15. 15 – Bela Bartok – Piano Sonata BB 88 (Sz. 80) – II. Sostenuto e pesante
    
16. 16 – Bela Bartok – Piano Sonata BB 88 (Sz. 80) – III. Allegro molto
    

MIT HUMOR

Matthieu Cognet

A fascinating and entertaining recital from Matthieu Cognet. Joseph Haydn was a master of musical comedy, and his Piano Sonata No. 60 features eccentric quirks similar to those heard in his ‘London’ Symphonies. Robert Schumann was influenced by the comic writer Jean Paul when he composed his rhapsodic Humoreske in B-flat major, Op. 20, which exudes a stream-of-consciousness quality. The 20th century brought with it musical humour of a satirical, sometimes acerbic nature. Prokofiev’s Four Pieces for piano, like Schumann’s Humoreske, encompass a range of characters, and Bartók’s Piano Sonata, Sz. 80 has moments of grim humour and dry wit.

Matthieu Cognet was born in Paris and later moved to the United States, where among many achievements he has written and published his solo piano transcription of Ravel’s La Valse, became Artistic Director of the French American Piano Society, and currently teaches and performs in New York and beyond.

Reviews

“… integrity, idiomatic perception and refined mastery … The intimate yet full-bodied sound does Cognet’s beautiful tone justice. Keep your eye on this superb pianist and intelligent musician – I know I will!”
Gramophone - Jed Distler / February 2020