The harpsichord on this album uses an 18th-century French transposition temperament, with A1 tuned to 415 Hz.
Composer Biography
Mozart's elder sister, Maria Anna, known as 'Nannerl,' was also a highly skilled musician, described by their father Leopold as 'one of the best players in Europe'.
Performer Biography
Wolfgang Glüxam, the other harpsichordist, studied harpsichord with Ton Koopman and organ with Alfred Mitterhofer, won prizes at international competitions, and teaches harpsichord at the Vienna Music University.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Mozart believed his true artistic expression lay in music, stating, 'I cannot write poetically... I am no poet. I cannot make fine artistic phrases... I am no painter... but I can by notes, for I am a musician.'
Performer Biography
Patrick Ayrton, one of the harpsichordists on this album, studied organ in Vienna and harpsichord in Amsterdam with Ton Koopman, and now teaches at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague.
Composer Biography
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the composer, once wrote to his father Leopold that he could be serious despite his merry nature, and asked him not to think badly of him.
Instruments
The harpsichord used on this recording is a Franco-Flemish instrument built by Willem Kroesbergen in Utrecht in 1986.
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