Hyperion Records

The Impromptu in A flat major, Op 29 (1837), marked allegro assai, quasi presto, begins with bubbly triplets that, though brilliant, must sing and have direction. The lyrical middle section in F minor has a broad melody which becomes increasingly ornamented. The end is a stroke of genius: a cadential sequence of chords is interrupted by the returning triplets, and then becomes more and more fragmented until it finally comes to rest.

from notes by Angela Hewitt © 2004