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In your opinion, what are the least-played of Haydn's some 60 sonatas? I would like to focus on one of these lovely pieces that is not performed too often -- I really like the big E-flat, the C and D sonatas, but I find them a bit overplayed.

I have also been thinking of playing the e-minor sonata (Hoboken 34), which I love, but I am also wondering if that has not been a bit overplayed. What do you think?

E minor is played fairly often.

None of the early sonatas are played much, and a few others that come to mind are Hob. XVI:28 and 49.

Kreisler, thank you. I had a hunch the e-minor was played a lot -- it is too lovely to stay hidden. I'll take a look at 28 and 49.

Out of the early sonatas, my 2 favorites are XVI/2 in B-flat, and XVI/13 in E major. Whenever my next solo program occurs, the E major will open it.

While it is sub-titled Sonata (in the Henle edition - and it is Hob.XVII not Hob.XVI), the Variations in F minor Hob.XVII:6 is, I guess, a fairly popular work although it's not one I have ever heard on a recital program. I will be playing it in a recital in January.

Do others consider it an often-played work?

Regards,

I haven't heard it, but I've seen it mentioned here a few times. Also, there are quite many performances of the work on Youtube (listening to Larrocha playing it right now), so I guess it's fairly often played.

Sonata in C Hob XVI/21 looks really cool, though I haven't played it. I would like to, but I'll start working on a Beethoven sonata after my current Haydn one.

I would say it is played fairly often. It is, along with the great Eflat sonata, his most popular keyboard work. The word, sonata, here, was penned by Haydn on the very first page of the autograph. Apparently, the variations were originally intended to constitute the first movement of a piano sonata. The idea was later scrapped when he left for England the second time. On the oldest surviving copy of the work that Haydn had made, we find the words, "Un piccolo Divertimento / Scritto e composto / per la / Stimatissima Signora / de / Ployer"
This was most likely Barbara Ployer, but it is not known if Haydn wrote the variations for her, or, if she commissioned the work. The words are, certainly, tongue in cheek as the work is neither small, nor a divertimento.

g minor, Hob. 44

Brilliant recording and my favorite of this work.

I agree, a lovely sonata. I would also add Sonata in D major, Hob.XVI:42.

The reason that the early sonatas are not played much is because they demand a different sort of musicianship than one commonly finds these days.
On the surface, these are simple, even simplistic, piano pieces, and are ignored because of this. But what they are really, is a scaffold, a skeleton, for improvisation and elaboration. If you can't pull that sort of thing off, you will find the "easy" early sonatas impossible to do justice to. If you have the skill and chops for improvisation, they can provide a lifetime of pleasure, and never sound the same way twice.
Anyone who would sit and play, verbatim, what is on the page of the early Haydn sonatas, well, you better hope Franz Joseph isn't in the room listening. His wig would melt in disgust.

Very well stated! Also, for anyone interested in Haydn, I'd strongly suggest Jean-Efflam Bavouzet's recent recordings of the Haydn sonatas. He adds his own improvisations and ornaments to them - always tasteful, clever, and interesting. Easily some of the best Haydn currently available.

A-flat major, nr.46, one of my favourites, hardly heard in concert, like so many..

Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions. I will give a listen to all of them. Also, my teacher suggested I learn the B-Flat Major, Hob. XVI/2. But he is also looking at others ...