Haydn: Complete Keyboard Music, Vol. 10 - Artur Balsam

Keyboard Music Volume 10 HAYDN liner notes

The first movement of Sonata number 49 in C sharp minor, like some of the first movements of Haydn's last symphonies, has no first and second "theme," rather the whole movement is based on three motifs occurring in the first, second and fifth measures. ...The sparkling, dance-like quality of the Allegro con brio opening of Sonata number 50 in D major is suitable, one would think, for the ballet. What, with all the activity and busyness, one scarcely notices the short and rather intense development section...The opening movement of Sonata number 51 in E flat major, prances effortlessly from beginning to end. The C minor Adagio speaks somberly, and perhaps with a bit of nostalgia, of great things sadly past. Though not so indicated, that last movement, Allegro, is really a Menuet and trio.