Johann Baptist Cramer made his name in London and Europe as one of the leading pianists of the day. His virtuoso skills at the keyboard can be heard in the florid and playful Variationson an Anglo–Caledonian Air and the ebullient Sonata Op. 25,No. 2. Beginning with an operatic slow introduction markedPatetico e lento, followed by a dramatic Allegro, the SonataOp. 27, No. 1 anticipates Beethoven in its emotional range.