For her second volume of Friedrich Kuhlau’s piano music, Marie-Luise Bodendorff takes the three previously unrecorded Rondos, op.1, as her starting point, some of his most charming and distinctive music. She continues with the composer’s Six Sonatinas, op.55, which remain popular with pianists today. In the Fantasy on Swedish Songs, op.93, Bodendorff displays all the craftsmanship, elegance and kindness of Kuhlau’s piano music.

Friedrich Kuhlau fled from Germany to Denmark at the age of 24, when facing conscription into Napoleon’s army. He easily worked his way into the Danish musical and aristocratic milieu, gained citizenship and spent the rest of his life in the country.

Kuhlau is known as Beethoven’s strongest advocate in Denmark. His piano music is melodically rich, explores the full sonority of the instrument and ranges in texture from the delicate to the imposing.

This second volume in the series presents the world-premiere recording of his first opus number, the 3 Rondos, op.1, which represents some of his most charming musicmusic.

The album also includes the well-known educational pieces 6 Sonatinas, op.55, and his Fantasy in G minor on Swedish Songs, op.93, displaying craftsmanship, elegance and conviviality.

The first volume received great praise in the international press, naming the series a potential “Kuhlau Comeback”.

Marie-Luise Bodendorff (b.1983) was born in Augsburg, Germany. She has been a prize winner in numerous international piano competitions and currently teaches piano and chamber music at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen.