Ludwig van Beethoven - A Journey with Beethoven (Naruhiko Kawaguchi)

Information

Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven

1. 11 Bagatelles, Op. 119: No. 9, Vivace moderato
2. Prelude for Piano, WoO 55
3. Presto in C Minor, WoO 52
4. Allegretto quasi Andante, WoO 61a
5. 2 Rondos, Op. 51: No. 2, Andante cantabile e grazioso
6. Rondo a Capriccio, Op. 129 "Rage over a Lost Penny"
7. Piano Sonata in C Major, WoO 51: I. Allegro
8. Piano Sonata in C Major, WoO 51: II. Adagio (compl. Ferdinand Ries)
9. Die Geschöpfe des Prometheus, Op. 43, Act I Scene 3: Allegro vivace
10. Six Ecossaises, WoO 83
11. 11 Bagatelles, Op. 119: No. 1, Allegretto
12. Polonaise in C Major, Op. 89
13. Fantasia in G Minor, Op. 77
14. Franz Liszt - Geistliche Lieder von Gellert, S. 467 (after Beethoven, Op. 48): II. Bitten
15. Symphony No. 7, Op. 92: II. Allegretto (arr. Friedrich Kalkbrenner)
16. Bagatelle No. 25 in A Minor, WoO 59 "Für Elise"

Naruhiko Kawaguchi, fortepiano

Date: 2026

Label: Signum Classics

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Naruhiko Kawaguchi’s album A Journey with Beethoven presents a thoughtfully curated selection of the composer's shorter piano works, variations, and arrangements, moving beyond the traditional sonatas to reveal his diverse musical character. Performed on three historical fortepianos from the renowned Finchcocks Collection, the program traverses bagatelles, rondos, dances, and a rare 1822 revision of Für Elise. Through historically informed performance, Kawaguchi traces an emotional narrative from playful wit to deep introspection. The recording beautifully showcases the evolving sound world of Beethoven’s era, offering fresh perspectives on both familiar and lesser-known repertoire within a cohesive, expressive narrative.

Born in 1989, acclaimed Japanese fortepianist Naruhiko Kawaguchi gained prominent recognition as the runner-up in the inaugural International Chopin Competition on Period Instruments. He holds master’s degrees from Tokyo University of the Arts and the Amsterdam Conservatory, where he studied under Kikuko Ogura and Richard Egarr. A laureate of multiple international early music competitions, Kawaguchi has delivered distinguished recitals at major European festivals, including Utrecht and Warsaw. He regularly collaborates with premier historical ensembles, such as the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century, and his extensive discography includes critically acclaimed recordings of Dussek, Schubert, and historical Spanish repertoire.

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