Kozeluch: Piano Concertos Nos. 1, 5 & 6 (Hyperion Classical Piano Concerto 4)

Featuring

Howard Shelley
London Mozart Players
Leopold Kozeluch

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Critical Reception

In 1789, Dr. Charles Burney praised Kozeluch's works for their 'solidity, good taste, correct harmony' and for having fewer imitations of Haydn than other composers of his school.

Critical Reception

In 1790, music scholar Ernst Gerber cited Kozeluch as Europe's favorite composer in his Lexikon der Tonkünstler, stating he was "without question with young and old the most generally loved."

Composer Biography

Kozeluch established his own publishing firm, the Musikalisches Magazin, becoming one of the first composer-publishers, a model later followed by Muzio Clementi and Jan Ladislav Dussek.

Composer Biography

Leopold Kozeluch, the composer, was born Jan Antonín in the Bohemian village of Velvary and changed his name to Leopold to avoid confusion with his older cousin, also Jan Antonín.

Historical Context

Kozeluch arrived in Vienna about three years before Mozart and achieved great success as a pianist, composer, and teacher, even refusing an offer to succeed Mozart as court organist in Salzburg.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Kozeluch's concertos are noted for their 'thematic economy,' often surpassing Haydn in making much from little, and their 'limpid grace' and 'sparkling keyboard writing'.

Performer Biography

Howard Shelley, the pianist and conductor on this album, has had a distinguished career since his 1971 London debut and often performs in the combined role of conductor and soloist.

Mozart: Three Concertos for Piano and Orchestra, K. 107 (after 3 Sonatas by J. C. Bach) & Schröter: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in C Major, Op. 3, No. 3