Cristian Sandrin performs Beethoven's Op. 2 Piano Sonatas — ambitious works that announced the arrival of a bold new musical voice in Vienna

“Bold and courageous” – Classical Voice America

“Sandrin expresses the sounds with infinite subtlety” – Nieuwe Noten Netherlands

"A brave new world" – BBC Music Magazine

"An incredibly talented pianist" – Piano News Germany

Join acclaimed pianist and Kettner Concerts co-artistic director Cristian Sandrin for an extraordinary evening showcasing Beethoven’s complete Op. 2 Piano Sonatas — three remarkable works that announced the arrival of a bold new voice in the musical world of Vienna.

Written in 1794–95, these ambitious works built on the achievements of Mozart and Haydn while establishing Beethoven’s own distinctive voice. They marked his explosive debut in the world of piano sonatas. Experience the revolutionary spirit of young Beethoven through brilliant technical passages, dramatic emotional contrasts, and surprising innovations that would help reshape classical music.

Witness the complete cycle performed in the unique surroundings of the International Anthony Burgess Foundation, in the heart of Manchester — a rare opportunity to trace the evolution of Beethoven’s genius across these three groundbreaking sonatas by one of history’s greatest musical revolutionaries.

The Programme

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827):

Sonata No. 1 in F minor, Op. 2, No. 1

Allegro

Adagio

Menuetto: Allegretto

Prestissimo

The F minor sonata opens the cycle with a restless energy. Its first movement, inspired by Mozart's K. 457 sonata in the same key, features dramatic silences and sudden dynamic contrasts. The lyrical Adagio provides momentary respite before the traditional Menuetto and the fiery final Prestissimo, which pushes the technical boundaries of piano playing for its time.

Sonata No. 2 in A major, Op. 2, No. 2

Allegro vivace

Largo appassionato

Scherzo: Allegretto

Rondo: Grazioso

The A major sonata expands in scale and ambition. Its brilliant opening movement demonstrates Beethoven's mastery of Classical forms while hinting at new directions. The profound Largo appassionato moves with the dignity of a slow march, while the Scherzo replaces the traditional Menuetto with greater rhythmic playfulness. The elegant Rondo finale showcases Beethoven's gift for graceful melody.

Sonata No. 3 in C major, Op. 2, No. 3

Allegro con brio

Adagio

Scherzo: Allegro

Allegro assai

The cycle culminates in the virtuosic C major sonata, the most technically demanding of the three. Its expansive first movement rivals a concerto in brilliance, while the serene Adagio explores rich harmonic territories. The playful Scherzo leads to an exhilarating finale that pushes the performer's technique to its limits, highlighting Beethoven's own legendary prowess as a pianist.

The Artist

Born into a family of musicians from Bucharest, Cristian Sandrin has been surrounded by classical music all his life. His frequent visits to the historic Romanian Atheneum concert hall and his attendances at the prestigious Enescu Festival shaped his musical aspirations from early childhood. Years later, he would have his own debut at the Atheneum at the age of 13.

Cristian is especially devoted to the Classical and Romantic repertoire. His passion for Mozart’s piano concertos led him to direct from the keyboard several concertos during Summer Festivals at the Royal Academy of Music, as well as for the official opening of the Angela Burgess Recital Hall. From 2018–2020 he was privileged to tour the UK as an artist of the Countess of Munster Recital Scheme. Additionally, he has been a scholarship holder of the Imogen Cooper Music Trust since 2017, benefiting from her unique one-to-one guidance and mentorship. He graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in 2019, receiving a DipRAM, MMus, and later being part of the prestigious Advanced Diploma programme.

In 2023, he was invited to become co-Artistic Director of the much-admired Kettner Concerts, which are held in the historic David Lloyd George Hall at London's National Liberal Club, where Rachmaninov gave his final European performance. Kettner Concerts now presents concerts across the country, at venues in Manchester, Oxford, and Twickenham.

In 2021, Cristian travelled to Romania for his debut with the acclaimed George Enescu Philharmonic, performing Mozart's Piano Concerto in C major, K. 503 at the country's foremost music venue, The Romanian Atheneum. Since 2020, Cristian has performed challenging solo programmes including Beethoven's last three sonatas and Bach's Goldberg Variations at famous venues across Europe, from Berlin’s Konzerthaus, the Radio Hall in Bucharest to London’s LSO St Luke’s and Sinfonia Smith Square, and Sala Puccini in Milan. In July 2025 Cristian made his debut at Beethovenhaus in Bonn, Germany.

His debut CD Correspondances (Antarctica Records, 2022) featuring music by Ravel, Enescu, and Cyril Scott was highly acclaimed in Europe and across the Atlant

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