Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-4 "Pasticcio Concertos"

Featuring

Michael Alexander Willens
Ronald Brautigam
Kölner Akademie
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

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Critical Reception

It was not until the early 20th century that these concertos were recognized as transcriptions; earlier Mozart researchers assumed they were original works.

Performer Biography

Ronald Brautigam, one of Holland's leading musicians, performs on both modern instruments and the fortepiano, having developed a great passion for the latter.

Composition History

Mozart's father may have suggested these transcription exercises as part of his musical instruction, building on earlier experiences with larger forms.

Composition History

The autograph manuscripts of these concertos show handwriting from both Mozart and his father, suggesting Leopold assisted his son, especially in K37.

Composition History

The four 'pasticcio' concertos on this album predate Mozart's original piano concertos and are transcriptions of 'accompanied sonatas' by other composers.

Compositional Technique

Mozart's strategy for converting sonatas into concertos involved adding tutti passages to create alternating blocks of sound and intimate dialogue.

Instruments

The fortepiano used on this recording is a 2007 instrument by Paul McNulty, modeled after an 1788 instrument by Johann Andreas Stein, a renowned German maker.