Neil Crossland

Johann Michael Haydn (1737-1806)

Variations in C Major, P. 132, MH 108a (Haydn)

Johann Michael Haydn was an Austrian composer of the Classical period, the younger brother of Joseph Haydn. Like his brother, Michael Haydn became a choirboy at St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna, receiving his early musical instruction there.

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

Piano sonata No. 7, Op. 10 No 3 (Beethoven)

i Presto
ii Largo e mesto
iii Menuetto e Trio
iv Rondo – Allegro

Beethoven’s Piano Sonata was dedicated to the Countess Anne Margarete von Browne, and written in 1798. This makes it contemporary with his three Op. 9 string trios, his three Op. 12 violin sonatas, and the violin and orchestra romance that became his Op. 50 when later published. The year also saw the premiere of a revised version of his second piano concerto, whose original form had been written and heard in 1795. The Op. 10 sonatas are usually described as angular or experimental, as Beethoven began moving further and further away from his earlier models. This third sonata of the set is the longest at approximately 24 minutes. It is the only one of the Op. 10 sonatas that has four movements. The second movement is famous for its intimations of later tragic slow movements, as well as for its own beauty.

Sergei Rachmaninov (1873-1943)

Six Romances, Op. 4 (Rachmaninoff)

i Oh No, I Beg You, Forsake Me Not!
ii Morning
iii In the Silence of the Secret Night
iv Do Not Sing, My Beauty
v Oh Thou, my Field
vi How Long, my Friend

Rachmaninoff’s 6 Romances, Op. 4 were written in 1890-93.

Performers

Neil Crossland - Piano

Neil Crossland is a distinguished British pianist and composer from Yorkshire. His musical journey began at age six, leading him to the Royal College of Music in London, where he earned top prizes in piano and composition. Crossland has performed in prestigious venues such as the Barbican, Queen Elizabeth Hall, and Wigmore Hall, and is particularly noted for his complete performances of Beethoven's 32 piano sonatas at St James' Piccadilly.

Beyond his performance career, Crossland is a recording artist with an extensive recording project on the Deltatel label. This project includes over 20 recordings, featuring the complete Beethoven piano sonatas as well as works by Schumann, Liszt, and Poulenc.

In addition to his recording and performance work, Crossland is committed to music education, frequently leading workshops and masterclasses. His work is regularly featured on BBC Radio 3 and 4, underscoring his significant contributions to classical music both as a performer and composer.

Neil collaborates with CNM (Colchester New Music) and LCF (London Composers Forum), engaging with contemporary composers through performance, recording, and workshops. Having worked with over 100 composers, he is enthusiastic about new music and invites composers to contact him for recording and performance opportunities at composersworks@gmail.com.