The term 'pianist' is intentionally avoided in the booklet, as it implies modern concert grand pianos that did not exist in Mozart's time; he was a 'keyboard performer'.
Instruments
Ronald Brautigam performs on a fortepiano by Paul McNulty, made in Amsterdam in 1992, modeled after an Anton Gabriel Walter instrument from around 1795.
Composer Biography
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was considered one of the greatest keyboard virtuosos of his era, a fact often overlooked today.
Critical Reception
Despite his creative power, Mozart's reputation declined in the final years of his life, with some critics finding his music too difficult for the public.
Interpretation
There is an ongoing debate among musicologists about which keyboard instrument Mozart intended for his works, as he often simply labelled them 'Cembalo' (harpsichord).
Historical Context
Mozart's music was sometimes considered too difficult for the public of his time, with one periodical dismissing his opera Don Giovanni as a 'monk's farce'.
Compositional Technique
Mathematician John F. Putz claimed in 1996 that Mozart composed his piano sonatas in accordance with the Golden Section, with development and reprise sections often around 62% of the total movement duration.
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