Mozart is considered one of the most prolific composers for the piano, with 102 piano compositions among the 626 entries in Köchel's catalogue of his works.
Composition History
Mozart's 18 surviving solo piano sonatas were composed between 1774 and 1789, bridging the stylistic gap between Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach and Ludwig van Beethoven.
Critical Reception
Mozart referred to six of his sonatas (K. 279-284), including the E-flat major Sonata, K. 282, as the 'difficult sonatas' in his letters, possibly due to their aesthetic and interpretational demands.
Performer Biography
William Youn, the pianist on this album, began his musical education in Korea, moved to the New England Conservatory in Boston at 13, and then to the Music Academy in Hannover, Germany, at 18.
Composer's Artistic Vision
William Youn's teacher, Chinese pianist Fou Ts'ong, taught him that Mozart's works require psychological analysis and interpretation, not just beautiful notes, revealing their dramatic and emotional depth.
Compositional Technique
Mozart's Piano Sonata in E-flat major, K. 282, unusually begins with a slow sonata movement, followed by a Minuet instead of the typical slow movement.
Interpretation
Pianist William Youn aims to play Mozart in a way that is deeply felt and shows the composer's ability to describe varied human emotions through music.
