Leopold Koželuch was a strong advocate for the fortepiano, refusing to teach students who did not want to understand the instrument, and was credited with contributing to a 'reformation of taste in keyboard music'.
Compositional Technique
Many of Koželuch's minor key sonatas, including one from 1780, begin with a slow introduction, predating Beethoven's 'Pathétique' sonata by nineteen years, a feature not found in Haydn or Mozart's sonatas.
Recording & Production
This album features world première recordings of several of Leopold Koželuch's keyboard sonatas, as part of a groundbreaking complete cycle.
Performer Biography
Kemp English, the performer, was part of the proofreading team for Christopher Hogwood's new Bärenreiter edition of Koželuch's keyboard sonatas, which gave him exclusive access to pre-publication copies.
Composer Biography
Leopold Koželuch, born Jan Antonín, changed his name to avoid confusion with his older cousin, also a musician, and altered his Czech family name Koželuh ('tanner') to Koželuch for easier German pronunciation.
Composer Biography
In 1792, Leopold Koželuch succeeded Mozart as Kammer Kapellmeister and Hofmusik Compositor to Emperor Franz II, a position he held until his death in 1818.
Composer Biography
Leopold Koželuch declined an offer from the Archbishop of Salzburg for Mozart's former post as court organist, citing the Archbishop's treatment of Mozart as a deterrent.
