Ludwig van Beethoven - Piano Sonatas Nos. 5, 21 & 30 (Jianan Xu)

Information

Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven

• Piano Sonata No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 10 No. 1
• Piano Sonata No. 21 in C Major, Op. 53
• Piano Sonata No. 30 in E Major, Op. 109

Jianan Xu, piano

Date: 2026

Label: Blue Griffin Recording

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Blue Griffin Recording announces the solo debut of pianist Jianan Xu with Beethoven: The Arc, an album featuring Piano Sonatas Nos. 5, 21, and 30. This collection meticulously traces the composer's creative evolution, from the revolutionary intensity of the early C minor Sonata to the expansive, heroic "Waldstein." Xu’s performance culminates in the introspective and poetic E major Sonata, capturing the visionary language of Beethoven’s late period. By navigating these diverse masterpieces, Xu offers a profound portrait of a restless and bold musical vision, delivering a recording that emphasizes both the structural innovation and the transcendent emotional depth of Beethoven’s legacy.

Pianist Jianan Xu began his training at age six, later studying at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music's affiliated schools and the Oberlin Conservatory of Music under Alvin Chow and Angela Cheng. A decorated competitor, Xu won gold at the 2006 German Beethoven Music Festival and the 2009 Five Municipalities' Piano Competition. He earned his master’s degree from the Mannes School of Music in 2018 as the sole student of Vladimir Feltsman. Following extensive international performances, concerto appearances, and media features across the United States, Europe, and China, Xu entered the doctoral program at the University of Kansas in 2022.

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