J. B. Cramer

[swilliams002]

Why isn't Johann Baptist Cramer more well-known to pianists?

While his piano concerti are decently represented in discography, I have only been able to find 4 recordings of his sonatas (3 for piano solo and 1 for piano duet) on YouTube. His "Retour à Londres" sonata is marvelous. Unfortunately, the scans of his music on IMSLP seem in general to be very poor quality, so I have not bothered trying to play through too many of his other sonatas. But if he maintained the quality of Op. 25/2 and Op. 62 in his other sonatas, then in my opinion he joins Dussek as one of the most underrated sonata composers for piano.

Is anyone more familiar with his sonatas, or his music output in general? And if so, what are your thoughts?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxZZwo9vctQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNGJ9lMtKDE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rX0Zsxzbv7Y

[thalbergmad]

He extreme longevity (87 years was very rare at the time), meant he became outdated whilst he was still composing.
The 8th piano concerto deserves to be played more often, but I can't see it happening.
I would add Woelfl to your list of underrated sonata composers.
THAL

[cuberdrift]

I think he, like many other superstars of the great piano age, simply wasn't known to be a musical innovator.

Many of the greats had their performing equals:

Mozart and Clementi,
Beethoven and Hummel,
Liszt and Thalberg,
Chopin and Dohler,
Schumann and his wife Clara.

But while they were equalled in playing abilities or even reputation, they are remembered more for what actually lasts beyond the grave: their writing skills.

How far they went beyond the conventions.

Being popular makes you known by your generation; being different makes you remembered by the next.

[robertus]

He also wrote a lot of effective light pieces- variations on British tunes, dances, etc.

Maybe you should perform his works yourself, and start to popularize it!

[swilliams002]

He also wrote a lot of effective light pieces- variations on British tunes, dances, etc.

Maybe you should perform his works yourself, and start to popularize it!

I plan to do just that! In fact, if possible, to record all of his works for my YouTube channel. Most of them are available on IMSLP, but I'll have to hunt down some others.