This album gathers piano sonatas by Mendelssohn, Beethoven and Schumann that reflect a specifically German approach to the form, set apart from the Viennese Classical tradition. Pianist Tianxu An explores works written across a 26-year span, a period in which composers redefined the sonata through structural experiment and a heightened sense of performance. Central to his reading is close attention to the composers' detailed markings – dynamics, pedalling and phrasing – and how they shape interpretation. Recorded in 2024, the release captures An's thoughtful engagement with music he prizes for both its intellectual rigour and its expressive breadth.