Intro
Andreas Staier
Biography
Andreas Staier
Biography
Full version
Undoubtedly one of the most prominent harpsichord and forte piano performers in the world, Andreas Staier embarked upon a solo career in 1986 and, since then, his indisputable musical mastery has made its mark on the interpretation of baroque, classical and romantic repertoire.
Born in Göttingen, Andreas studied modern piano and harpsichord in Hannover and Amsterdam. For three years, he was the harpsichordist of Musica Antiqua Köln with whom he toured and recorded extensively.
As a soloist, Andreas Staier performs throughout Europe, the United States and Japan with orchestras such as Concerto Köln, Freiburger Barockorchester, the Akademie für alte Musik Berlin and the Orchestre des Champs-Elysées Paris.
Andreas has been invited to lead international festivals including the Festival de La Roque d’Anthéron, Festival de Saintes, Festival de Montreux, Edinburgh International Festival, Styriarte Graz, Schubertiade Schwarzenberg, Schlweswig-Holstein Musik Festival, Bach-Fest Leipzig, Bachtage Berlin, Bachwoche Ansbach and Kissinger Sommer. He has also performed in all the major venues in Europe, America and Japan, including Konzerthaus, Wien; Konzerthaus, Philharmonie, Berlin; Kölner Philharmonie; Gewandhaus Leipzig; Alte Oper Frankfurt; Tonhalle Düsseldorf; Wigmore Hall, Royal Festival Hall, London; De Singel Antwerp; Concertgebouw Amsterdam ; Palais des Beaux Arts, Brussels ; Tonhalle Zürich ; Cité de la Musique, Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord,Ircam, Théâtre des Champs Elysées, Paris ; Teatro della Pergola, Florence; Sala Filarmonica, Roma; Toppan Hall, Suntory Hal, Tokyo ; Carnegie Hall, New York and is a regular guest of the BBC.
Andreas Staier has performed with internationally renowned artists such as Anne Sophie von Otter, Pedro Memelsdorff and Alexej Lubimov, and his close collaboration with tenor Christoph Prégardien is attested to in their recordings of German lieder by Schubert, Schumann, Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Lachner and Brahms. He has formed a highly successful trio with violinist Daniel Sepec and cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras; they have recently recorded their first CD (Beethoven) for Harmonia Mundi.
In 2001, Andreas gave the world premiere of ‘Contra-Sonata’, a work for fortepiano by the French composer Brice Pauset, which he also recorded for AEON.
His extensive discography has won great critical awards from international press, whether for BMG, Teldec Classics (with whom he had an exclusive contract for seven years) or harmonia mundi with whom he released his last five recordings: Mozart’s Sonatas in two CDs, Haydn concertos with the Freiburger Barockorchester, Hamburg 1734 (with the German harpsichordist Christine Schornsheim). He has recorded Beethoven’s sonatas for violin and piano with Daniel Sepec performing on Beethoven’s own instrument and a Mozart CD performing on Johann Andreas Stein’s vis-à-vis instrument with Christine Schornsheim, which was awarded the Diapason d’Or and the CHOC du Monde de La Musique. Two recent releases include a Bach CD (Early Works) and a Schumann recording (a tribute to Bach), again for harmonia mundi.
March 2010
Not to be altered without permission. We update our biographies regularly. Please destroy all previous biographical material
Short version
Undoubtedly one of the most prominent harpsichord and forte piano performers in the world, Andreas Staier embarked upon a solo career in 1986 and, since then, his indisputable musical mastery has made its mark on the interpretation of baroque, classical and romantic repertoire.
As a soloist, Andreas Staier appears throughout Europe, the United States and Japan with orchestras such as Concerto Köln, Freiburger Barockorchester, the Akademie für alte Musik Berlin and the Orchestre des Champs-Elysées Paris, and has been invited to leading international festivals and venues worldwide.
Andreas Staier has performed with renowned artists such as Anne Sophie von Otter, Pedro Memelsdorff and Alexej Lubimov, and his close collaboration with tenor Christoph Prégardien is attested to in their recordings of German lieder. He also plays regularly with violinist Daniel Sepec.
In 2001, Andreas gave the world premiere of ‘Contra-Sonata’, a work for fortepiano by the French composer Brice Pauset, which he also recorded for AEON. His extensive discography has won great critical awards from the international press, whether for BMG, Teldec Classics or harmonia mundi with he now records exclusively for: two recent releases include a Bach CD (Early Works) and a Schumann recording (a tribute to Bach).
March 2010
Not to be altered without permission. We update our biographies regularly. Please destroy all previous biographical material
Discography
Andreas Staier
Discography
2010
Bach: Golberg- Variaionen
HMC901989
2008
Schumann: "Hommage à Bach"
Kinderszener op.15 op.15, Album für die Jugend op.68, Vier Stücke op.32, Sieen Stücke in Fughettenform op.126; Waldszenen op.82
Harmoni Mundi
HMC901989
Bach: Oeuvres de Jeunesse (Frühwerke)
Toccata en Ré majeur BWV 912
Partite diverse sopra il corale O Gott, du frommer Gott' BWV 767
Toccata en mi mineur BWV 914
Suite en la mineur BWV 818a
Toccata en Sol majeur BWV 916
Capriccio sopra la lontananza del fratello dilettissimo BWV 992
Harmonia mundi
HMC 901960
CHOC du Monde de la Musique
2007
Beethoven / Hummel: Klaviertrios
Beethoven: Trio für Klavier, Violine und Violoncello c-moll op. 1,3
Beethoven: Trio für Klavier, Violine und Violoncello D-Dur op. 70,1
Hummel: Trio für Klavier, Violine und Violoncello G-Dur Nr. 5 op. 65
With Daniel Sepec (Violin), Jean-Guihen Queyras (Cello)
Harmonia mundi
HMC 901955
Mozart am Stein vis-a-vis
Modulierendes Praeludium KV 284a
Sonata in B flat for piano (4 hands) KV 358
Modulierendes Praeludium KV deest
Fragment eines Praeludiums KV 624
6 Variationen in F-Dur über die Arie „Salve tu, Domine" KV 398
Praeludium (Fantasie) und Fuge in C-Dur KV 394
Improvisation Christine Schornsheim & Andreas Staier
Sonate D-Dur für Klavier zu 4 Händen KV 381
6 Deutsche Tänze KV 509
With Christine Schornsheim
Harmonia Mundi
HMC 901941
Diapason d'Or - Diapason
CHOC - Monde de la Musique
2006
Beethoven: Sonatas for Piano and Violin
Sonate Nr. 7 op.30 Nr. 2 c-moll
12 Variationen für Violine und Klavier Wo040 über „Se vuol ballare" aus „Die Hochzeit des Figaro" von Mozart
Sonate Nr. 4 op.23 in a-moll
With Daniel Sepec (Violin)
Harmonia Mundi
HMC 901919
Diapason d'Or - Diapason
CHOC - Monde de la Musique
2005
The Andreas Staier Collection: C.P.E Bach: Sonatas and Fantasies - Chamber music (3 CDs)
With Les Adieux
Deutsche Harmonia Mundi
82876 673742
J.S.Bach: Fantasies and Fugues - Clavierübung I + II (4 CDs)
Deutsche Harmonia Mundi
82876 673782
Scarlatti: Sonatas (2 CDs)
Deutsche Harmonia Mundi
82876 673752
Haydn: Sonatas and Variations (3 CDs)
Deutsche Harmonia Mundi
82876 673762
Dussek: Sonatas - Fantasia and Fugue (2 CDs)
Deutsche Harmonia Mundi
82876 673772
Hamburg 1734
Works by Telemann, Handel, Buxtehude, Mattheson, Böhm, Weckmann, Scheidemann,
Pauset
With Christine Schornsheim (Harpsichord)
Harmonia Mundi
HM9011898
Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik
Mozart: Sonaten
Sonate C-Dur KV 330
Sonate A-Dur KV 331
Sonate F-Dur KV 332
Harmonia Mundi
HMC 901856
2004
F.Schubert: Sonate a-moll op. 42 D 845; Klavierstücke op. Ph. D 946
Elatus
2564 61301-2
F. Schubert: Die späten Klaviersonaten
Sonate c-moll D 958
Sonate A-Dur D 959
Elatus
2564 60442-2
Haydn: Piano Concertos
Konzert für Klavier und Streicher G-Dur Hob. XVIII: 4
Konzert für Klavier, Violine und Streicher F-Dur Hob XVIII: 6
Konzert für Klavier und Orchester D-Dur Hob. XVIII: 11
With the Freiburger Barockorchester, and Gottfried von der Goltz
Harmonia Mundi
HMC 901854
2003
Mozart: Piano Works
Suite C-Dur KV 399 (385i)
Gigue G-Dur KV 574
Sonate Es-Dur KV 282 (189g)
Zehn Variationen in G-Dur KV 455 über die Ariette „Unser dummer Pöbel
meint" aus dem Singspiel „Die Pilgrime von Mekka" (Christoph Willibald Gluck)
Fantasie c-moll KV 475
Sonate c-moll KV 457
Harmonia Mundi
HMC 901815
Diapason d'Or - Diapason
10 - Répertoire
FFFF - Télérama
2002
W. Byrd: John Come Kiss Me Now
Fantasia (in C), BK 25
Sellinger's Round (in G), BK 84
Hugh Aston's Ground or Tregian's Ground (in A), BK 20
Pavan: Ph Tregian (in F), BK 60a
Galliard (in F), BK 60b
Walsingham (in G), BK 8
Callino Casturame (in C), BK 35
Prelude (in A), BK 12
Fantasia (in A), BK 13
My Lady Nevell's Ground (in D), BK 57
The Queen's Almann (in G), BK 10
Alman (in G), BK 89
Lavolta (in G), BK 91
Qui Passe: for my Lady Nevell (in A), BK 19
The Woods so Wild (in G), BK 85
John Come Kiss Me Now (in G), BK 81
The Bells (in C), BK 38
Teldec
0927-42205-2
Artist Portrait: Andreas Staier
L. Boccherini: Fandango - Grave assai
A. Salieri: Concerto for fortepiano and orchestra in C major - Allegro maestoso
M. Clementi: Sonata II in G minor - Finale. Molto allegro
W.A. Mozart: Piano Concerto no. 18, KV 456 - Andante un poco sostenuto
J.S. Bach: Sonata in D minor BWV 964 - Allegro
J. Field: Piano Concerto no. 3 in E flat major H32 - Allegro moderato
F. Schubert: Sonata in A major D 959 - Andantino
D. Scarlatti: Sonata in A major K 209 - Allegro
F. Schubert: Winterreise op. 89, D 911 - Die Wetterfahne With Christoph Prégardien (Tenor)
F. Schubert: Divertimento à la Hongroise op. 54, D 818 - Marcia, andante con moto
Warner Classics
0927-47984-2
2001
B. Pauset: Kontra-Sonata
Pauset: Kontra-Sonata (Mouvement 1)
Schubert: Sonate a-moll D 845
Pauset: Kontra-Sonata (Mouvement 2)
Aeon
AECD0421
F. Schubert: Lieder after Mayrhofer
With Christoph Prégardien (Tenor)
Teldec
8573-85556-2
Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik 2002
2000
J. Brahms: Die Schöne Magelone
Brahms: Fifteen Romances op. 33
With Christoph Prégardien (Tenor) and Narrators Senta Berger (German version), Vanessa Redgrave (English version), Samy Frey (French version)
Teldec
8573-80915-2
M. Clementi: Sonaten
Preludio alla Haydn aus op. 19
Sonate f-moll op. 13 Nr. 6
Capriccio B-Dur op. 17
Sonate g-moll op. 34 Nr. 2
Preludio alla Mozart aus op. 19
Sonate F-Dur op. 33 Nr. 2
Fantasie on „Au clair de la lune" op. 48
Teldec
3984-26731-2
W.A. Mozart: Klavierkonzerte KV 456 und 459
With Concerto Köln
Teldec
8573-80676-2
1999
Beethoven / Krufft / Lachner: Lieder
With Christoph Prégardien (Tenor)
Teldec
3984-21473-2
J. Field: Klavierkonzerte Nr. 2 & 3
With Concerto Köln and David Stern
Teldec
3884-21475-2
Soler / de Albero / Gallés / López / Ferrer / Boccherini: Variaciones del Fandango Español
Spanish Harpsichord Music from the 18th century
Teldec
3984-21468-2
CD of the Month - Rondo
Cannes Classical Award of the Year
Diapason de l'Année - Diapason
1998
J.S. Bach: Sonate per il cembalo
J.S. Bach: Transcriptions BWV 964 - 966, BWV 968, BWV 954
Teldec
3984-21461-2
F. Mendelssohn: Konzert für Klavier und Streicher a-moll; Konzert für Violine, Klavier und Streicher d-moll
With Rainer Kussmaul (Violin)
Concerto Köln
Teldec
0630-13152-2
F. Schubert: Divertissements
With Alexei Lubimov (Piano)
Teldec
0630-17113-2
1997
F. Schubert: Winterreise
With Christoph Prégardien (Tenor)
Teldec
0630-18824-2
CHOC - Monde de la Musique
Diapason d'Or - Diapason
Edison Award 1997
Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik
Caecilia-Preis 1998 (Belgium)
1996
R. Schumann: Klavierkonzert op. 54
With the Orchestre des Champs Elysées, Philippe Herreweghe
Harmonia Mundi
HMC 901555
D. Scarlatti: Sonaten
Sonaten K 394, K 115, K 116, K 69, K 113, K 114, K 215, K 216, K 513, K 246, K 247, K 208, K 209, K 414, K 415, K 426, K 427
Teldec
0630-12601-2
Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik 1996
CHOC de l'Année 1996 - Monde de la Musique
Grand Prix de la Nouvelle Académie du Disque
« Palmarés des Palmarés de l'année 1997 »
1995
J.S. Bach: Italian Concertos and other Works
Chromatische Fantasie und Fuge d-moll BWV 903
Italienisches Konzert F-Dur BWV 971 (aus „Clavierübung II")
Fantasie und Fuge a-moll BWV 904
Partita IV, D-Dur BWV 828 (aus "Clavierübung I")
BMG / Deutsche Harmonia Mundi
05472 77330 2
J.L. Dussek: Sonatas Vol. 2
Fantasia and Fugue op. 55, C 199
Sonate op. 64, « Le Retour à Paris », C 221
Elégie Harmonique op. 61, C211
BMG / Deutsche Harmonia Mundi
05472 77334 2
J.L. Dussek: Klavierkonzerte
Klavierkonzert g-moll op. 49 (50)
Klavierkonzert B-Dur op. 22
Tableau "Marie Antoinette" op. 23
Capriccio
10 444
F. Schubert: Lieder nach Gedichten von J.W. von Goethe
With Christoph Prégardien (Tenor)
Deutsche Harmonia Mundi
05472 77342 2
Diapason d'Or de l'année 1996 - Diapason
Grand Prix de la Nouvelle Académie du Disc « Palmarés des Palmarés »
H.Purcell / M. Locke u.a.: Delight in disorder
With Pedro Memelsdorff (Recorder)
BMG / Deutsche Harmonia Mundi
05472 77318 2
Schubert / Schumann / Mendelssohn-Bartholdy: Lieder nach Gedichten von
Heinrich Heine
With Christoph Prégardien (Tenor)
BMG / Deutsche Harmonia Mundi
05472 77319 2
Edison Award 1995
W.A. Mozart: Klavierkonzerte
Klavierkonzert Nr. 9 KV 271 Es-Dur "Jeunehomme"
Klavierkonzert Nr. 17 KV 453 G-Dur
With Concerto Köln
Teldec
4509-98412-2
Diapason d'Or - Diapason
CHOC - Monde de la Musique
Cannes Classical Award 1996
A.Salieri / J.A. Steffan: Concertos for fortepiano
Salieri: Konzert C-Dur
Salieri: Konzert B-Dur
Steffan: Konzert B-Dur
Teldec
4509-94569-2
1994
J.S. Bach: Clavierübung I & II (3 CDs)
Partita I, B-Dur BWV 825
Partita II, c-moll BWV 826
Partita III, a-moll BWV 827
Partita IV, D-Dur BWV 828
Partita V, G-Dur BWV 829
Partita VI, e-moll BWV 830
Italienisches Konzert F-Dur BWV 971
Partita h-moll (Ouverture nach französischer Art) BWV 831
BMG / Deutsche Harmonia Mundi
05472 77306 2
1993
Haydn: Piano Sonatas II
Sonate C-Dur Hob XVI/35
Sonate cis-moll Hob. XVI/36
Sonate D-Dur Hob. XVI/37
Sonate Es-Dur Hob. XVI/38
Sonate G-Dur Hob. XVI/39
Sonate c-moll Hob. XVI/20
Deutsche Harmonia Mundi
05472 77186 2
Preis der deutschen Schallplatten kritik 1993
Diapason d'Or - Diapason
Haydn: Variationen und Sonaten für Klavier III
Arietta con 12 Variazioni Nr 1 Es-Dur Hob. XVII/3
Sonate e-moll Hob. XVI/34
Andante con (2) Variazioni f-moll Hob. XVII/6
Sonate D-Dur Hob. XVI/33
Variationen über die Hymne „Gott erhalte" Hob. III/77II
BMG / Deutsche Harmonia Mundi
05472 77285 2
F. Schubert: Lieder nach Gedichten von Friedrich Schiller
With Christoph Prégardien (Tenor)
Deutsche Harmonia Mundi
05472 77296 2
Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik 1994
1992
W.A. Mozart: Klavierquartette
Mozart: Quartett KV 478
Mozart: Quartett KV 493
C. Cannabich: Quartett „Airs du ballet Orphée" KV 284
With Les Adieux
Deutsche Harmonia Mundi
RD77221
D.Scarlatti: Sonaten „pour le clavecin" Vol. II
Sonaten K 420, K 421, K 263, K 264, K 132, K133, K 175, K 277, K 278, K 213, K214, K 202, K 64, K 96, K 87, K 460, K 461
Deutsche Harmonia Mundi
05472 77274 2
Diapason d'Or - Diapason
F. Schubert: Die schöne Müllerin
With Christoph Prégardien (Tenor)
Deutsche Harmonia Mundi
05472 77273 2
Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik 1993
1991
D. Scarlatti: Sonaten „pour le clavecin" Vol. I
Sonaten K 141, K 118, K 119, K 454, K 455, K 198, K 203, K 501, K 502, K 518, K 519, K 516, K 517, K 108, K 490, K 491, K 492
Deutsche Harmonia Mundi
RD77224
1990
C.P.E. Bach: 4 Hamburger Sinfonien / Concerti
Sinfonie Wq 182, 3
Sinfonie Wq 182, 4
Sinfonie Wq 182, 5
Concerto Wq 165
Concerto Wq 43, 4
With the Freiburger Barockorchester, leader Thomas Hengelbrock
Deutsche Harmonia Mundi
RD77187
J. Haydn: Klaviersonaten I
Sonate C-Dur Hob. XVI/48
Sonate Es-Dur Hob. XVI/49
Sonate C-Dur Hob. XVI/50
Sonate D-Dur Hob. XVI/51
Sonate Es-Dur Hob. XVI/52
Deutsche Harmonia Mundi
RD77160
1989
C.P.E. Bach: Sonaten & Fantasien
Deutsche Harmonia Mundi
RD77025
J.S. Bach: Clavierfantasien
Fantasie a-moll BWV 922
Fantasie und Fuge a-moll BWV 904
Fantasie c-moll BWV 921
Fantasie c-moll BWV 919
Praeludium und Fuge a-moll BWV 894
Praeludium und Fughetta G-Dur BWV 902
Praeludium un Fuge F-Dur BWV 901
Chromatische Fantasie und Fuge d-moll BWV 903
Fantasie „duobus subjectis" g-moll BWV 917
Fantasie und unvollendete Fuge c-moll BWV 906
Deutsche Harmonia Mundi
RD77039
J.L. Dussek: Sonaten Vol. 1
Sonate B-Dur op. 35, 1
Sonate G-Dur op. 35, 2
Sonate c-moll op. 35, 3
Sonate D-Dur op. 31, 2
BMG / Deutsche Harmonia Mundi
05472 77286 2
F. Schubert: Winterreise
With Michael Schopper (Bass)
Deutsche Harmonia Mundi
RD77055
1988
L. Boccherini: Klavierquintette
With Les Adieux
Deutsche Harmonia Mundi
GD 77053
1986/1987
J.S. Bach: Brandenburgische Konzerte / Tripelkonzert
6 Brandenburgische Konzerte BWV 1046 - 1051
Tripelkonzert BWV 1044
With Musica Antiqua Köln
Deutsche Grammophon
423 116-2
1985
C.P.E. Bach / W.F. Bach: Concertos for two Harpsichords
With Musica Antiqua Köln
Deutsche Grammophon
419 256-2
Repertoire
Andreas Staier
Repertoire
| C.P.E. BACH | Double Concerto for Fortepiano and Harpsichord |
| BEETHOVEN | Concertos |
| no.1 op.15 in C major no.2 op.19 in B major
no.3 op.37 in C minorno.4 op.58 in G major |
|
| DUSSEK | Concerto in G minor op.49 |
| Concerto in B major op.22 | |
| FIELD | Concertos 2 and 3 |
| HAYDN | Concerto for Piano and Strings in G major Hob.HVIII:4 |
| Concerto for Piano, Violin and Strings in F major Hob.XVIII:6 | |
| Concerto in D major Hob.XVIII:11 | |
| MENDELSSOHN | Concerto for Piano and String Orchestra in A minor |
| Concerto no. 1 in G minor op. 25 | |
| Concerto for Violin, Piano and Strings in D minor | |
| MOZART | Concertos |
| no.1 KV 37 F major no.2 KV 39 B major no.3 KV 40 D major no.4 KV 41 G major for Piano and Strings KV 107 no.6 KV 238 B major no.7 for 3 pianos and orchestra KV 242 F major no.9 KV 271 Eb flat major Jeunehomme no.10 for 2 pianos and orchestra KV 365 Eb major no.11 KV 413 F major no.12 KV 414 A major no.13 KV 415 C major no.14 KV 449 Eb major no.17 KV 453 G major no.18 KV 456 B major no.19 KV 459 F major no.23 KV 488 A major no. 24 KV 491 C minor no.27 KV 595 B major |
|
| SALIERI | Concertos in C major and B major |
| SCHUMANN | Concerto op. 54 in A minor |
| J.A. STEFFAN | Concerto in B major |
reviews
Andreas Staier
reviews
Concerts
|
Edinburgh International Festival – August 2009 |
|
- 25th August |
| The Scotsman, August 2009 |
|
“Played by Andreas Staier with a shimmering appreciation of its tonal nuances” |
| The Herald, August 2009 |
|
“His skills were so great that I soon forgot I was listening to a (mere) fortepiano, so involved was he in conveying the emotion at hand.” |
| Opera Critic, August 2009 |
|
- 27th August “There were more replicas in Christoph Prégardien and Andreas Staier's masterful Queen's Hall recital, this time by Chopin. Though bolstered by Prégardien's firm tone and the antique mirror sound of Staier's Erard piano, Chopin's unfamiliarity with lieder was evident in the generic figures of "Das Ringlein" and "Der Reitersmann vor der Schlacht". |
|
The Independent, August 2009 |
|
“the performance had such finesse, clarity and poetry that the music breathed its country air completely afresh” |
| The Herald, August 2009 |
|
Grenoble, Orchestre des Champs Elysées – January 2007 |
|
"… Il n’est plus nécessaire de présenter les solistes du Triple Concerto. Ils nous offrent une œuvre magnifique d’écoute et de complicité: dans cette interprétation, ils mettent réellement les qualités de la musique de chambre au service de celles du concerto. Respiration commune, complémentarité extrême dans chaque dialogue : voici de vrais chambristes qui intègrent totalement l’orchestre à leur discours.… On ne pouvait pas en attendre moins de tels interprètes, qui, comme d’autres, ont la simplicité des grands.”
|
| Nila Djadavjee, www.resmusica.com - January 2007 |
| South Bank Centre – September 2006 |
|
“The eminently skilled hands of Andreas Staier conveyed the power and inspiration of Mozart’s genius breaking through the instrument’s limitations, producing a musical experience beyond its compass, without losing sight of the Fantasie’s baroque origins”. |
| Kenneth Carter, www.classicalsource.com - September 2006 |
| Wigmore Hall (BBC Radio 3) –26 December 2005 |
|
“The great Fantasia and Sonata (the latter following without pause) was the culmination of a captivating hour, all the music given with a clear impression that not every detail was not fixed beforehand, Staier's generous rubato and impulsiveness conveying a feeling of spontaneity, that the music was being created as it was being played.” |
|
www.musicalpointers.co.uk, December 2005 |
| Saintes Music Festival - July 2004 |
|
"Andreas Staier's two concerts underlined why he is one of the most important pianists of our times. He is a player of exceptional insight and vigour, yet with an agility and wit that make hearing him a constant delight." |
| The Independent - August 2004 |
Recordings
|
Beethoven Violin Sonatas No 4, Op 23; No 7, Op 30 No 2. Variations on “Se vuol ballare” from Mozart’s “Le nozze di Figaro”, Harmonia Mundi. HMC90 1919 (55’· DDD)
|
|
“Andreas Staier plays a Graft pianoforte from the 1820s, of a type Beethoven was familiar with, though no at the time he wrote these sonatas. But if it has a smoother sound and wider dynamic range than earlier instruments, it’s still able to present Beethoven’s keyboard textures with perfect clarity. Staier’s enthusiastic approach occasionally swamps the violin-but one can easily imagine the young Beethoven doing the same.”
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Gramaphone- October 2006 |
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“Sepec and Staier have also attempted to recapture the style of the early 19th century, playing with wide dynamic contrasts and extravagant expressive rubato, so that performances have a free-wheeling, improvisatory feel. While these may not be accounts of Beethoven violin sonatas you want to hear every day, they are certainly fascinating attempts at historical re-creation”.
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The Guardian- August 2006 |
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“Yet there’s no kid glove playing from Daniel Sepec, nor from Andreas Staier’s 1824 fortepiano. Both seize on every possible effect of colour and dynamics: Beethoven’s fiery dramatics sound more audacious than ever. In between, as a charming respite, come his Marriage of Figaro variations — watch out for a fortepiano shock on number five. Fantastic playing, and a fascinating release” |
|
The Times- August 2006 |
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“The unique selling point of this disc is that Daniel Sepec plays a violin dating from 1700. In Sepec’s hands, it sounds well, making a sturdy but sweet sound, and combines beautifully with the 1824 Graf fortepiano that Andreas Staier plays. The duo’s readings of the A minor sonata, Op 23, and the C minor sonata, Op 30 No 2 are dramatic, thoughtful and touching. And there’s a charming performance, complete with a couple of mischievous percussive effects, of the 1793 variations on Figaro’s aria Se vuol ballare from Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro”. |
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The Sunday Times-August 2006 |
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| Hamburg 1734 |
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‘Instrumental Choice’ HMC 90189 |
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"This disc is a three-fold celebration, first of a splendid harpsichord…., then of Hamburg and thirdly of its greatest music director, Telemann…..The disc contains a wealth of fine music…. The arrangements (orchestral music by Telemann for four hands harpsichord with Chirstine Schornsheim)….show off the harpsichord’s many resonances and colours to great effect. This is a stimulating and at times extravagantly expressive recital." |
| BBC Music Magazine – February 2006 |
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Scarlatti Sonatas |
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"This two CD set is tackled by Andreas Staier, one of the world’s leading harpsichord specialists, with passion and gusto." |
| Hi-Fi Choice ***** – May 2005 |
| Mozart Piano Sonatas - HMC901856 – 2005 |
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"Immediate reactions to Andreas Staier's new Mozart disc (another French Harmonia Mundi release, HMC 901856) might depend on your generosity towards the fortepiano. Staier's instrument is a modern replica, and the delicacy of some sounds is remarkable. Yet even if the fortepiano's clatter usually prompts apoplexy, his imaginative responses to his chosen sonatas (K 330, 331 and 332) should still lure you inside. Like Harnoncourt, Staier may be erratic but never dull. A wonderful, life-enhancing disc." |
| The Times - April 2005 |
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"I am delighted with the new harmonia mundi disc, finding in Staier’s readings a perfect balance between strength and delicacy." |
| International Record Review - April 2005 |
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"delightful, freshly conceived and invigorating performances." |
| Classical CD of the Week - April 2005 |
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"his sparkling touch, deft and witty timing and delicate feeling for the poetry of the slow movements give unalloyed pleasure." |
| The Daily Telegraph - April 2005 |
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"[The Alla Turca finale of K331] is outrageously mischievous, but surely not even the most dour scholar could resist such fun." |
| Evening Standard - April 2005 |
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"the changes are blatant, cheeky, provocative, prodding every last listener to ask how far should these things go." |
| The Irish Times - April 2005 |
| Mozart Sonata in A major – Alla Turca finale |
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"Yes, you’ve noticed. Staier changes the figuration, as well as the octave at which he plays the right hand, and the ornamentation, and the sonority. I find this is a thrilling reading, and quite within Mozart’s experimental vein. After all, Mozart sometimes improvised the solo part of a concerto he hadn’t had time to finish, and he mostly improvised cadenzas. In Mozart’s day the text was usually just a start not a sacred document. Staier has entered fully into this spirit and all three sonatas have altered moments. This might put you off, but not me who popped out to buy a copy. Even if you don’t like what Staier does with the text, you can relish the beautiful sound of the fortepiano he uses, his exquisite phrasing and nifty finger work and overall to the works. These are outstanding performances." |
| BBC CD Review – March 2005 |
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Haydn - Keyboard concertos, with the Freiburger Barockorchester / Gottfried von der Goltz (Harmonia Mundi HMC 901854) |
| Editor's Choice – Gramophone – April 2005 |
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"Pianoforte devotees will relish the nimble fingerwork of Andreas Staier in three of Haydn's liveliest and most touching works, Hob XVIII: Nos 4, 6 and 11. Dismissed by one contemporary as 'an exercise for composers and instrumentalists, with no ambition other than to offer a vague pleasure to the ear', these three contrasting works sound a great deal more substantial to posterity, especially the D major with its great 'Hungarian' finale. Once the harpsichordist of Musica Antiqua Köln, German keyboard virtuosos Andreas Staier has since established himself as one of the foremost solo exponents of the baroque repertoire, here matching Haydn himself for musical wit, wisdom and joie de vivre." |
| The Observer - January 2005 |
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"While it is good to have this rarely performed work in a state-of-the-art period-style performance, the quality of the music, as with the G major concerto, belies Haydn's reputation as a composer who never wrote a dull work. The finest music here, the D major, is the most durable of the keyboard concertos, written in the 1780s, and stylishly performed…." |
| The Sunday Times - January 2005 |
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"This disc continually surprises and delights. Faultless." |
| The Independent on Sunday - January 2005 ***** |
| Brahms Piano Quintet – MDG307 1218-2 |
| A lighter touch for a Brahms masterpiece |
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"On this excellent recording we’re aware that the dominating resonance of the present-day concert grand is missing; the balance shifts in favour of the strings, making the work seem more colourful, less sombre. The first movement and the Scherzo are especially successful, with full, resonant tuttis contrasting dramatically with the more tenuous, atmospheric music… Staier and the Leipzigers will expand your view of this great work." |
| Gramophone – January 2005 |
| Mozart Piano Sonatas - HMC801815 - 2003 |
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"Andreas Staier brings to this music a rare passion, subtlety and recreative flair. Once or twice you might find Staier disconcertingly spiky or impatient. But his inventive, often revelatory, performances make the best possible case for playing this music on the kind of instrument Mozart himself would have used." |
| The Daily Telegraph - November 2003 - CD of the Week |
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"Here are fragmentary suites and magnificent sonatas, improvisation and studied art; and Staier has the measure of it all." |
| BBC Music Magazine - January 2004 |
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"Powerful, dramatic readings capturing the sense of Mozart breaking down idiomatic barriers of his time… Staier is firing on all cylinders in this altogether invigorating keyboard recital. A superlative disc." |
| Critic’s Choice, Gramophone – January 2004 |
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"If I were allowed to own just a single recording of Mozart’s piano music, then this would be high on my short list." |
| International Record Review – January 2004 |
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Mozart Piano Sonatas K330, 331 ‘Alla Turca’, 332 (HMC901856) |
| Sunday Times Classical CD of the Week |
| Observer Classical CD of the Week |
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"A wonderful, life-enhancing disc." |
| Geoff Brown, The Times – 1 April 2005 |
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"Even if you don’t like what Staier does with the text, you can relish the beautiful sound of the fortepiano he uses, his exquisite phrasing and nifty finger work and overall sensitivity to the works. These are outstanding performances." |
| CD Review, BBC Radio 3 – 26 March 2005 |
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"I am delighted with the new harmonia mundi disc, finding in Staier’s readings a perfect balance between strength and delicacy." |
| International Record Review – April 2005 |
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"delightful, freshly conceived and invigorating performances." |
| Classical CD of the Week, The Sunday Times – 10 April 2005 |
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"his sparkling touch, deft and witty timing and delicate feeling for the poetry of the slow movements give unalloyed pleasure." |
| The Daily Telegraph – 9 April 2005 |
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"[The Alla Turca finale of K331] is outrageously mischievous, but surely not even the most dour scholar could resist such fun." |
| Evening Standard – 15 April 2005 |
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"the changes are blatant, cheeky, provocative, prodding every last listener to ask how far should these things go." |
| The Irish Times – 22 April 2005 |