Mozart composed these violin sonatas in Paris in 1778, needing to earn money by finding pupils and selling his music to publishers.
Composition History
Mozart composed two extra sonatas (KV 304, 306) for this set, likely to avoid repeating the key of C major, which was present in two earlier sonatas (KV 296 and 303).
Interpretation
Duo Amadè, consisting of Catherine Mackintosh and Geoffrey Govier, believes that performing Mozart's violin sonatas on period instruments gives them a unique freshness and vitality.
Composition History
Mozart's father urged him to sell his music to Parisian publishers, as sonatas for piano 'accompanied' by a violin were very popular at the time.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Mozart often carefully arranged his opuses, such as his string quartets, using patterns like the circle of fifths or rising thirds.
Performer Biography
Catherine Mackintosh, the violinist, was a leader of the Academy of Ancient Music from 1973 to 1988 and is a founder member of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.
Performer Biography
Geoffrey Govier, the fortepianist, is a passionate advocate of the early piano and is a professor of fortepiano at the Royal College of Music.
You might also enjoy...
Mozart: Sonatas "Opus II" for Pianoforte and Violin
