Pachelbel's Canon (also known as Canon in D, P 37) is an accompanied canon by the German Baroque composer Johann Pachelbel. The canon was originally scored for three violins and basso continuo and paired with a gigue, known as Canon and Gigue for 3 violins and basso continuo. Both movements are in the key of D major. The piece is constructed as a true canon at the unison in three parts, with a fourth part as a ground bass throughout. Neither the date nor the circumstances of its composition are known (suggested dates range from 1680 to 1706), and the oldest surviving manuscript copy of the piece dates from 1838 to 1842. Neil Crossland has arranged this piece for solo piano.
i Allegro con brio
ii Andante quasi allegretto
iii Rondo: Assai allegro
Muzio Clementi's Piano Sonata in B flat major, Op. 24 No. 2, is a popular piece known for its structural clarity and charm, often featured in piano teaching. It is a three-movement work. The first movement is particularly noted for its "con brio" tempo, which lies well under the fingers and is considered enjoyable to play. The sonata, while showcasing Clementi's virtuosic style, is also recognized for its melodic richness and motivic development, making it more than just a display of technical skill. A cadenza is marked in the score for the first movement, though Clementi did not provide one, leaving it open to performer interpretation.
Allegretto in C minor D 915 is a short piano piece written on 26 April 1827. The immediate occasion for the composition was the departure of Schubert’s friend Ferdinand Walcher for a post in Venice; Schubert copied the piece into Walcher’s album at the latter’s farewell party. Note that the piece was composed only a month after the death of Beethoven, where Schubert had been one of the torchbearers at the funeral.
i Adagio sostenuto, ii Allegretto, iii Presto agitato
The Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, marked Quasi una fantasia, Op. 27, No. 2, is a piano sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven, completed in 1801 and dedicated in 1802 to his pupil Countess Julie “Giulietta” Guicciardi. Although known throughout the world as the Moonlight Sonata, it was not Beethoven who named it so. The name grew popular later, likely long after Beethoven’s death.
Frédéric Chopin's Fantaisie-Impromptu in C♯ minor, Op. posth. 66, WN 46 is a solo piano composition. It was composed in 1834 and published posthumously in 1855 despite Chopin's instruction that none of his unpublished manuscripts be published. The Fantaisie-Impromptu is one of Chopin's most frequently performed and popular compositions.
The Nocturnes, Op. 9 are a set of three nocturnes for solo piano written by Frédéric Chopin between 1831 and 1832, published in 1832, and dedicated to Madame Marie Pleyel. These were Chopin's first published set of nocturnes. No. 1 is one of the better known nocturnes, this piece has a rhythmic freedom that came to characterize Chopin's later work.
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.
Piano Quartet
6 November 2025
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