Mozart: 8 Piano Sonatas; Rondos, Fantasia in D Minor etc.

Featuring

Marc-André Hamelin
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

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Performer Biography

Marc-André Hamelin, the pianist on this album, is known for his unique blend of musicianship and virtuosity, and has been recognized with a lifetime achievement prize by the German Record Critics' Award.

Composer Biography

As a child, Mozart impressed European courts with his keyboard skills and later established himself as the leading keyboard performer in Vienna, which he called 'Klavierland'.

Instruments

Mozart's sonatas from 1774-1775 were primarily intended for the fortepiano, an early version of the piano, rather than the harpsichord, due to their frequent dynamic changes.

Composition History

Mozart's first surviving sonatas, K279-284, were written in Salzburg and Munich in 1774-1775, partly while he supervised the first production of his opera buffa La finta giardiniera.

Composition History

Mozart's last sonata, K576, was commissioned by King Friedrich Wilhelm II of Prussia for his daughter, Princess Friederike, but Mozart only completed this one, which was far from 'easy'.

Composer Biography

Mozart earned a significant part of his income in Vienna by teaching the daughters of the aristocracy and wealthy bourgeoisie, charging top fees that were non-refundable.

Composition History

Mozart composed the 'little sonata for beginners', K545, in June 1788 for his pupils, though it was not published until 1805 under the title 'Sonate facile'.