Klaviersonaten Nr. 21 F-dur Und Nr. 49 Es-dur = Sonatas For Piano No. 21 In F Major And No. 49 In E Flat Major / Arietta Con Variazioni Es-dur / Fantasia C-dur

Released by Deutsche Grammophon in the late 1950s under the catalog number LPM 18 598, this recording features the French pianist Monique Haas interpreting works by Joseph Haydn. It represents a significant period in the label's history when they were actively expanding their catalog of classical keyboard works, utilizing high-fidelity monaural pressings that captured the precise and articulate playing style for which Haas was celebrated. The selection of Sonatas No. 21 and 49, alongside the Arietta con Variazioni and the Fantasia in C Major, showcases Haydn's transition from early galant styles to the more complex structures of his later period.

Monique Haas was recognized for her disciplined, crystalline technique, and her collaboration with Deutsche Grammophon often highlighted her ability to bring structural clarity to the repertoire. Her approach to Haydn was noted for its lack of sentimentality, favoring a clean, objective delivery that aligned well with the label’s emphasis on technical fidelity. The record stands as an example of the mid-century European classical recording tradition, where the focus remained firmly on the interplay between the composer’s architecture and the performer’s rigorous intellectual interpretation.