Sonat Nr 1 E-dur • Sonat Nr 2 Ess-dur

Released in 1979 by the Swedish label Caprice Records, this recording features the pianist Lucia Negro performing two sonatas by the 18th-century composer Joseph Martin Kraus. Kraus, often referred to as the 'Swedish Mozart' due to his prolific output and time spent in the court of Gustav III, was a significant figure in the development of the classical style in Northern Europe. This release was part of a broader scholarly and artistic effort during the late 20th century to revive interest in his compositions, which had long been overshadowed by his more famous contemporaries.

The album reflects the high standards of Caprice Records, a label dedicated to preserving and promoting Swedish classical and contemporary music. Lucia Negro, an Italian-born pianist who made a significant impact on the Swedish music scene, was chosen for her technical precision and ability to navigate the expressive nuances of the galant style. The recording was well-received by musicologists and collectors of the era, who valued the release for providing accessible documentation of Kraus’s keyboard works, which are characterized by their dramatic flair and structural ingenuity.