Ernst Wilhelm Wolf: Collected Solo Keyboard Sonatas, in 3 volumes

E.W. Wolf: Collected Solo Keyboard Sonatas, Vol. 1 (From Lulu.com; from other booksellers: ISBN 9781312679993)

Among the many works composed in various genres by Ernst Wilhelm Wolf (1735–1792), the solo keyboard works stand out for their accessibility, expressivity, and clear formal unity. They are fine examples of the early classical and rococo style popular in Germany at the time. This edition includes 74 works composed between 1765 and the end of Wolf's life, mostly sonatas, some sonatinas, and one fantasy with variations. A friend and admirer of Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach, Wolf, like C.P.E., clearly favored the clavichord, but most of the sonatas can be played on the fortepiano, as well as the modern piano. An important Foreword to Wolf's 1785 publication, A Guide to Good Performance on the Clavichord, is included here in a new translation. It is a valuable treatise that not only details Wolf's specific advice on clavichord technique, but also describes ornamentation, articulation, and other issues applicable to keyboard playing of the period.

Volume 1 of E.W. Wolf's Collected Solo Keyboard Sonatas contains the editor's introduction, and sonatas composed and published between 1765 and 1779. (Sonatas 1–26)

Ernst Wilhelm Wolf: Collected Solo Keyboard Sonatas, Vol. 2

E.W. Wolf: Collected Solo Keyboard Sonatas, Vol. 2 (From Lulu.com; from other booksellers: (ISBN 9781329972926)

Volume 2 of E.W. Wolf's Collected Solo Keyboard Sonatas contains sonatas composed and published between 1781 and 1785 (Sonatas 27–44), and the above-mentioned Guide to Good Performance on the Clavichord, newly translated by John Collins.

Ernst Wilhelm Wolf: Collected Solo Keyboard Sonatas, Vol. 3

E.W. Wolf: Collected Solo Keyboard Sonatas, Vol. 3 (From Lulu.com; from other booksellers: (ISBN9781365132254)

Volume 3 of E.W. Wolf's Collected Solo Keyboard Sonatas contains sonatas composed and published between 1786 and his death in 1792, an undated manuscript, and a posthumous publication containing six sonatas likely composed in different periods of Wolf's life (Sonatas 45–74).

Ernst Wilhelm Wolf Biography

Ernst Wilhelm Wolf (1735–1792) was born in Grossen Behringen, Thuringia, Germany, and died in Weimar. Most of his musical career was spent in the court of Duchess Anna Amalia of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, a notable patron of the arts, where, as Konzertmeister, organist, and Kapellmeister, he composed a wide variety of works in various genres. When C.P.E. Bach left the service of Frederick the Great in Prussia as official court harpsichordist (and composer), the king wished to have Wolf as his replacement; Wolf declined the position and remained with Anna Amalia until his death.

The editor and translator

Ryan Layne Whitney is a keyboardist (piano, harpsichord, fortepiano, clavichord), composer, and editor who lives, works, and teaches in Seattle, Washington. John Collins lives in East Worthing, UK, is an organist and harpsichordist, and a researcher specializing in the English, Italian, Iberian, and Central European repertoires. In addition to reviewing scores and CDs and writing booklet notes, Mr. Collins regularly translates texts from Spanish, Portuguese, and German.