Mozart: The Piano Sonatas, Vol. 2

1. Piano Sonata No. 11 in A major ("Alla Turca") K. 331 (K. 300i)
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
with Glenn Gould

2. Piano Sonata No. 12 in F major, K. 332 (K. 300k)
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
with Glenn Gould

3. Piano Sonata No. 13 in B flat major, K. 333 (K. 315c)c
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
with Glenn Gould

4. Piano Sonata No. 14 in C minor, K. 457
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
with Glenn Gould

5. Piano Sonata No. 15 in C major ("Sonata semplice") K. 545
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
with Glenn Gould

6. Piano Sonata No. 16 in B flat major, K. 570
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
with Glenn Gould

7. Piano Sonata No. 17 in D major ("Trumpet", "Hunt") K. 576
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
with Glenn Gould

8. Piano Sonata in F major, K. 533/494
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
with Glenn Gould

9. Fantasia for piano in C minor, K. 475
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
with Glenn Gould

10. Fantasia for piano in D minor (fragment), K. 397 (K. 385g)
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
with Glenn Gould

Product Description

Amazon.com essential recording
Throughout his career, Glenn Gould exhibited a haughty disdain for Mozart's music, on one occasion going so far as to say that Mozart died too late rather than too soon. Any lover of Mozart's music, confronted with these recordings of the piano sonatas, could well be tempted to say the same thing about Gould. The playing is willful and self-indulgent, characterized by outrageous exaggerations of tempo and dynamics and a meticulous, cold-blooded, and gleeful mockery of Mozart's style. It's as if a superintelligent 3-year-old with the technique of an angel had decided to have fun. Gould plays the opening of K. 331 as a chord study, at less than half the appropriate tempo, daring us to hear it as a dance. Elsewhere, his playing is merely an accompaniment to seemingly spontaneous cascades of humming and vocalizing, Gould's way of reminding us that he's playing not for us, not for Mozart, but for himself.

Yet, in spite of all the roadblocks, one hears the most extraordinary fingers of the 20th century accomplishing things in these accounts that might have astonished even Mozart, and one begins to understand what Gould was talking about when he said these pieces offered a kind of "tactile pleasure." If that floats your boat, then these readings are for you. And if it gets your goat, well, Gould will be remembered and admired for other things, and Mozart will survive even this travesty. --Ted Libbey

Tracks:

Sonata No.2 In B Minor, Op.35: Allegro maestoso
Sonata No.2 In B Minor, Op.35: Scherzo: Molto vivace
Sonata No.2 In B Minor, Op.35: Largo
Sonata No.2 In B Minor, Op.35: Finale: Presto, non tanto
Waltz In E-Flat Major, Op.18
Sonata No.2 In B-Flat Minor, Op.35: Grave: Doppio movimento
Sonata No.2 In B-Flat Minor, Op.35: Scherzo
Sonata No.2 In B-Flat Minor, Op.35: Marche funebre
Sonata No.2 In B-Flat Minor, Op.35: Presto
Nocture In B-Flast Minor, Op.9 No.1
The Shepards Complaint
Romance, In F-Sharp, Op.28, No.2
Sonata No.16, In B-Flat Major, K.570: II. Adagio

Customer Reviews:

The everlasting genius' flame! .......2006-07-13

Febrile intensity, visceral enthusiasm, steeled fingering, unsurpassed poetry are some of the most praised epithets I would employ to resume in very brief words, the Promethean pianist per excellence, the unerring perfection of his unequaled sound.

Honesty, prodigious skillfulness and profound commitment will be the eternal feature of this distinguished artist.

The transcendence of these performances by far, surpasses all what the words may express. The Third sonata `s crystalline poetry and ethereal phrasing seems to emerge from the recording and literally hover all the hall. His artistic status allowed to achieve such expression level, and the only version which gets close in poetry is Dinu Lipatti.

The Nocturne Op. 9 is loaded of profound sentiment and transcendent lyricism as well as the Waltz Op. 18' s performance possesses such lyrical flight, charm, elegance and notorious élan, that one might state there is not any other version played with such sublime perfection, mercurial vehemence and aristocratic refinement.

The Second Sonata's performance is tinged of precognitive mood, dark poetry, featured of plumbed presages. This piece was performed just one week before the final flight in Australia Oct. 22 1953.

This album is a must-buy, due it's utopian to believe or even think to obtain such level of cathartic experience in the present times, due it does not seem the aim in the artistic minds of the actual generation of pianists. On the other hand, the creator imagination and inner fire he played is the consequence and not the cause of a spiritual attitude.

In memoriam!

Mozart: Complete Sonatas for Fortepiano and Violin, Vol. 2

Average customer rating:

Wonderful
Wow!
Even better than Vol 1

Mozart: Complete Sonatas for Fortepiano and Violin, Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Analekta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Mozart: Complete Sonatas for Fortepiano and Violin, Vol. 1; Mannheim Sonatas

ASIN: B0006ZWULQ
Release Date: 2007-04-09

Tracks:

Sonata In F Major, K.377
Sonata In F Major, K.376
Sonata In B Flat Major, K.378
Sonata In G Major, K.379
Sonata In A Major, K.526
Sonata In E Flat Major, K.380
Sonata In E Flat Major, K.481

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful.......2006-02-12

If you want performances on period instruments - and you do - this volume of two with the complete violin sonatas makes an easy choice. Natural, intimate performances - like an animated conversation between two old friends. I didn't know the performers but after hearing this, I do not hesitate to say that their achievements compare favourably with the best: Podger & Cooper, Manze & Egarr, Seiler & Immerseel. Recommended!

Wow!.......2006-02-08

I bought both volumes of these sonatas after hearing only the first track and have not for a moment regretted the decision to do so. In college, I had the opportunity to play and become intimately acquainted with these sonatas. Being partial to 'period' performance, I have always been on the lookout for a good 'historically informed' recording and Breitman and Rivest don't fail to deliver. These are sonatas for fortepiano and violin, not violin sonatas and Breitman and Rivest's approach always keeps that cardinal rule of these pieces in mind. The transparent timbre of the gut-strung violin and fortepiano lend a clarity to these sonatas not often found in a lot of other recordings. The impeccable technique of both artists with the judicious use of vibrato by Rivest adds to that clarity. A wonderful opportunity for those who think they don't like period performances to become aquainted with the practice.

Even better than Vol 1.......2005-10-16

Please see my review of Volume 1. This is perhaps even better!

Average customer rating:

Glib and Dull Playing!!!
This is one of the great recordings of the century
beautiful playing, bargain price
Walter Klien's Mozart is dynamite!

Mozart: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 1

Manufacturer: Vox (Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Mozart: Piano Sonatas Vol 2 / Walter Klien
Schubert: Complete Piano Sonatas, Vol. 1
Walter Klien plays Brahms
Mozart: Twelve Great Piano Concerti
Schubert: Complete Piano Sonatas, Vol.2

ASIN: B000001K2G
Release Date: 1992-11-04

Tracks:

Sonata In G Major, K. 283: I. Allegro
Sonata In G Major, K. 283: II. Andante
Sonata In G Major, K. 283: III. Presto
Sonata In C Major, K. 309: I. Allegro con spirito
Sonata In C Major, K. 309: II. Andante un poco adagio
Sonata In C Major, K. 309: III. Rondo: Allegretto grazioso
Sonata In B-Flat Major, K. 281: I. Allegro
Sonata In B-Flat Major, K. 281: II. Andante amoroso
Sonata In B-Flat Major, K. 281: III. Rondo: Allegro
Sonata In E-Flat Major, K. 282: I. Adagio
Sonata In E-Flat Major, K. 282: II. Menuetto I; Menuetto II
Sonata In E-Flat Major, K. 282: III. Allegro
Sonata In C major, K. 279: I. Allegro
Sonata In C major, K. 279: II. Adagio
Sonata In C major, K. 279: III. Presto
Sonata In F Major, K. 280: I. Allegro assai
Sonata In F Major, K. 280: II. Adagio
Sonata In F Major, K. 280: III. Presto

Tracks:

Sonata In D Major, K. 284: I. Allegro
Sonata In D Major, K. 284: II. Rondeau in Polonaise: Andante
Sonata In D Major, K. 284: III. Theme With 12 Variations
Sonata In A Minor, K. 310: I. Allegro maestoso
Sonata In A Minor, K. 310: II. Andante cantabile con espressione
Sonata In A Minor, K. 310: III. Presto
Sonata In D Major, K. 311: I. Allegro con spirito
Sonata In D Major, K. 311: II. Andante con espressione
Sonata In D Major, K. 311: III. Rondo: Allegro
Sonata In C Major, K. 330: I. Allegro moderato
Sonata In C Major, K. 330: II. Andante cantabile
Sonata In C Major, K. 330: III. Allegretto

Customer Reviews:

Glib and Dull Playing!!!.......2005-07-18

This is dull for repeated listening.The Playing is glib and superficial.Very monotonous with all the pieces sounding pretty much the same!Was Mozart lacking in variety or creativity?You will be tempted to say YES after listening to this set.Just no variation in Dynamics or tempo.Better to go in for the Complete set by Eschenbach or even Barenboim.

This is one of the great recordings of the century.......2000-04-11

I share the enthusiasm of the two reviewers in this page in the sense that I, too, think this is Mozart in its most glorious state.

In a musical world so flooded with Argerichs and Brendels, the late Walter Klien shines with sovereign light in this so very intimate world of Mozart piano solo music.

I have listened to the two volumes time and again and I just can't get over how delicate, suave, liquid and natural Klien's touch is. Although Uchida or de Larrocha (considered by many as Mozart specialists and supreme exponents of this music) have their own merit, no doubt Walter Klien will remain unrivaled, for this is truly ineffable art.

Artists like Klien give me back my confidence in true artists.

beautiful playing, bargain price.......1999-11-10

Klien's recording of Mozart's piano sonatas are an absolute delight. His articulation is extremely crisp yet the tone is light and ever so delicate. His playing never gets weighty or forceful like Gould's but rather maintains a beautiful tenderness. Along with the clean recording transfer this CD would be a good buy even if it weren't bargain-priced. (Volume 2 is excellent as well).

Walter Klien's Mozart is dynamite!.......1999-06-08

This recording of the Mozart Piano Sonatas is one of the most exquisite ever committed to disc. Klien's execution is absolutely "clean", and his interpretations are thoroughly mesmerizing for their style, panache, tenderness, drama, and pearly tone. Every not speaks and every phrase sings in a way only Klien can produce. Little else can be said about how exceptional this recording is because it speaks for itself. And at such an exceptional price, there is absolutely no reason not to buy this set!

Mozart: The Great Violin Sonatas, Vol. 2

Average customer rating:

Fascinating Mozart
The Mature Violin Sonatas
the Musical Version of 1001 Nights

Mozart: The Great Violin Sonatas, Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Mozart: Great Violin Sonatas, Vol. 1
Beethoven: The Complete Violin Sonatas, Vol. 2
Complete Violin Sonatas Volume1
Mozart: Complete String Trios & Duos
Mozart: Violin Concertos

ASIN: B00000I94G
Release Date: 1999-03-09

Tracks:

Sonata In B Flat, KV 378: 1. Allegro moderato
Sonata In B Flat, KV 378: 2. Andantino sostenuto e cantabile
Sonata In B Flat, KV 378: 3. Rondeau. Allegro
Sonato In G, KV 379: 1. Adagio - Allegro
Sonato In G, KV 379: 2. Tema (con variazioni) Tema - Variazioni I-V - Tema
Sonata In E Flat, KV 380: 1. Allegro
Sonata In E Flat, KV 380: 2. Andante con moto
Sonata In E Flat, KV 380: 3. Rondeau. Allegro
Sonata In B Flat, KV 454: 1. Largo - Allegro
Sonata In B Flat, KV 454: 2. Andante
Sonata In B Flat, KV 454: 3. Allegretto

Tracks:

Sonata In E Flat, KV 481: 1. Molto allegro
Sonata In E Flat, KV 481: 2. Adagio
Sonata In E Flat, KV 481: 3. Allegretto (con variazioni)
Sonata In A, KV 526: 1. Allegro molto
Sonata In A, KV 526: 2. Andante
Sonata In A, KV 526: 3. Presto
Sonata In F, KV 547 'For Beginners': 1. Andante cantabile
Sonata In F, KV 547 'For Beginners': 2. Allegro
Sonata In F, KV 547 'For Beginners': 3. Andante con variazioni
Six Variations In G Minor, KV 360 On 'Helas, j'ai perdu mon amant': Tema - Variazioni I-VI

Customer Reviews:

Fascinating Mozart.......2007-01-04

This is one of several collections with two famous performers.
They blend very well together. Haebler seems to be the leader of the two.
Her performance is well articulated and convincing.
It is interesting to listen to this interpretation, especially after
the last Mozart jubilee. Everybody has been doing his music and there has been a search for the "real Mozart".
He has once again escaped everybody. But in this now "historic" performance with Haebler and Szeryng he seems to be quite close.
The musicality is on a very high level and their approach is very
earnest.
Although I prefer Lili Kraus and Szymon Goldberg in these works,
the sound here is much better and Haebler has just as much personality
in her interpretation as Kraus on hers. And they are quite different
from each other.
Summing up, I recommend the recording for everybody who has interest
in these sonatas.

The Mature Violin Sonatas.......2005-06-01

Philips has selected the best 16 of Mozart's 35 sonatas for piano and violin on four CD's (Vol. 1, 2). So, does one need to hear all 35 sonatas? Probably not as the early ones (1-16) were written by a "tween" Mozart for their early prodigy tours and are not near the stature of those written 10 years later and beyond. The ealier mature works on "Violin Sonatas I" tend to possess that Mozart innocence and lyricism so fitting for the parlor. The later works here on Violin Sonatas Vol. 2 - like most of any composer's later works - tend to be the most mature, the most perfect of form, the richest and most imaginative. A quote from 'The Compleat Mozart' gives a useful historical perspective on these later violin sonatas:

"K.379, 376, 377 and 380 are works of great historic significance: they are the first important chamber works Mozart wrote after his decision to stay in Vienna as a free artist and constitute his visiting card as a composer. The grand style of 'Idomeneo' is still ringing in them and other moments foreshadow `The Abduction from the Seraglio ... They are rich in new ideas, showing traces of musical genius ... very brilliant, and well suited to the instrument. Moreover, the violin accompaniment is so ingeniously combined with the piano ... and thus these sonatas demand a violinist an accomplished as the pianist."

These sonatas are magnificantly played by Szeryng and Haebler - a partnership that was renowned for its seamless musicianship. Music author David Dubal says of the Austrian pianist Ingrid Haebler: "An artist who plays with polish and taste. Her Mozart is especially admired for these qualities. Her playing has refinement and geniality, as well as a very special tone quality." Agreed. Equally, the emaculate playing of Polish violinist, Henrynk Szeryng, finds just the right shape, line and nuance for this music to elicit that 18th-century parlor charm.

I heard an interesting story about Szeryng's choice of instruments that some might find interesting: "Many famous virtuoso violinists have chosen to play Guarnerius rather than Stradivarius violins, a fact not generally known to the public. At one time Polish virtuoso Henryk Szeryng owned two Stradivarius violins and one Guarnerius. Eventually, he donated the two Strads to worthy musical institutions and kept only the Guarnerius. Szeryng treasured his Guarnerius so much that, when he travelled, he bought two seats -- one for himself and one for his Guarnerius."

It is hard to fault much in the wonderful Philips DUO set when the music is so well performed and so typically pleasant and galante Mozart. ABout the only negative thing might be the sound quality - which is clean but lacks a truly satisfying fullness and richness of tone that are found in newer recordings (like Hahn, Steinberg)... but nothing to discourage enjoyment. Penguin Guide gave this set a top 3-star rating as well as listing it as one of their "Recommended Recordings" (for building a collection). Hard to say which to get first - Vol. 1 or 2 - both are recommended and both contain important works. Also, consider the legendary recordings by Arthur Grumiaux or the newer ones Hilary Hahn/Natalie Zhu for this genre if you are comparing choices.

the Musical Version of 1001 Nights.......2003-02-26

The best Mozart Sonatas so far.

This is a musical version of 1001 Nights of the most civilised kind: no one could possibly grow tired of them.

Perlman once said he had problem of finding whom the violinist is though he is good. Quite right, it's because when Szeryng played Mozart, he completely captured the essense of Mozart as demonstrated here, and when he played Bach, even Hilary Hahn said he had got everything she is aiming at.

It's nothing like the later players, always exhibiting themselves, their sentimentality or else "technique" ( in the narrow sense) rather than serving the composer or the violin. Szeryng spoke more languages than Arthur Rubinstein, 7 altogether. Such is his supreme power of self-abnegation, linguistically and musically alike. As such it's quite beyond those egoists who could only speak one language and would complain that the rest of the world don't do the same.

These CDs triggered me to buy Szeryng/Haebler's Beethoven Sonatas. Not quite as good. My preliminary impression : Haebler's Beethoven isn't quite as good. I also tried Szeryng/Rubinstein, but I have problems at times, not always, in taking relish on Rubinstein. Rubinstein did grow with age, but the marks of self-inflicted wastage were always there. Who knows when he is on and when he is not. More often than not, what we we get is a mixed bag.

Tracks:

Sonata No. 11 In A Major, K. 331: Andante Grazioso
Sonata No. 11 In A Major, K. 331: Menuet
Sonata No. 11 In A Major, K. 331: Rondo, Alla Turca
Sonata No. 12 In F Major, K.332: Allegro
Sonata No. 12 In F Major, K.332: Adagio
Sonata No. 12 In F Major, K.332: Allegro Assai
Sonata No. 13 In B-Flat Major, K. 333: Allegro
Sonata No. 13 In B-Flat Major, K. 333: Andante Cantabile
Sonata No. 13 In B-Flat Major, K. 333: Allegretto Grazioso
Sonata No. 14 In C Minor, K. 457: Allegro
Sonata No. 14 In C Minor, K. 457: Adagio
Sonata No. 14 In C Minor, K. 457: Molto Allegro

Tracks:

Sonata No. 15 In C Major, K. 545: Allegro
Sonata No. 15 In C Major, K. 545: Andante
Sonata No. 15 In C Major, K. 545: Rondo, Allegretto
Sonata No. 16 In B-Flat Major, K. 570: Allegro
Sonata No. 16 In B-Flat Major, K. 570: Adagio
Sonata No. 16 In B-Flat Major, K. 570: Allegretto
Sonata No. 17 In D Major, K.576: Allegro
Sonata No. 17 In D Major, K.576: Adagio
Sonata No. 17 In D Major, K.576: Allegretto
Sonata In F Major With Rondo, K. 533, With Rondo In F Major: Allegro
Sonata In F Major With Rondo, K. 533, With Rondo In F Major: Andante
Sonata In F Major With Rondo, K. 533, With Rondo In F Major: Andante
Fantasie In C Minor, K. 475
Fantasie No. 2 In D Minor, K. 397

Amazon.com essential recording

Throughout his career, Glenn Gould exhibited a haughty disdain for Mozart's music, on one occasion going so far as to say that Mozart died too late rather than too soon. Any lover of Mozart's music, confronted with these recordings of the piano sonatas, could well be tempted to say the same thing about Gould. The playing is willful and self-indulgent, characterized by outrageous exaggerations of tempo and dynamics and a meticulous, cold-blooded, and gleeful mockery of Mozart's style. It's as if a superintelligent 3-year-old with the technique of an angel had decided to have fun. Gould plays the opening of K. 331 as a chord study, at less than half the appropriate tempo, daring us to hear it as a dance. Elsewhere, his playing is merely an accompaniment to seemingly spontaneous cascades of humming and vocalizing, Gould's way of reminding us that he's playing not for us, not for Mozart, but for himself.

Customer Reviews:

Sinewy interpretations!.......2005-10-13

In what respects to K. 331 performance we may be in front of the most irreverent and perhaps original approach given to this score, taking in count we are talking about the most popular of Mozart 's Sonatas . I know about sharp eccentricity of Mr. Gould and for many purists this may constitute a true bad taste joke but let me put in this way: Gould restrains with premeditation the accustomed joyous First movement becoming almost in Quasi Andante, loaded of reflexive motives, to change suddenly the character into graceful expressiveness. This is not exactly a mistaken approach; I think reaffirms the jubilee, loading it with a broad gamut of feelings. The Second Movement is extraordinarily: the harmonic language is expressive and transparent: of course you will listen Gould ' s unavoidable vocal accompaniment, that may be unbearable to many people. The Turk March is deliberately played with extremely slow tempo: and Gould makes it with the only purpose of dislike the accustomed and delirious way which is usually performed. I like this vision: Gould does not conclude neither optimist neither vigorously, reaching moreover an anticlimax.

The Sonata No. 12 is without any doubt one of the two best achievement of Gould in the whole set. Admirably imaginative, refreshing and extremely original with Dionysian ornaments and well though refinement supported by an enviable phrasing and slenderness.

The Sonata No. 13 is possibly the minor achieved of the whole set. It is exaggeratedly fast in the First Movement an in general terms is slickly and anodyne. I recommend you to go in search of two unforgettable readings: Lili Kraus and Joao Maria Pires.

The longest and most mature and expansive of the set is the Sonata No. 14; in its intrinsic mysterious spirit finds Gould in very good shape, and constitutes for him his second best achievement of the set of Sonatas. I love too, Badura Skoda 's version, Barenboim and Schiff. It 's a major work with the most inspired Adagio ever written for Mozart to this genre. It should be noted once more, the C minor is the tragic tonality per excellence. Somehow this introspective and reflexive atmosphere anticipates the future tow Fantasies K. 397 and the impressive K. 475.

Sonatas No.15 and 16 are majuscule achievements of Mr. Gould, (specially this last one, played with artistic conviction and austere eloquence)though my personal choice for the No. 17 goes to Andras Schiff ; there is a fabulous reading made by Horskowski around the No. 15 and you should not forget the magisterial interpretations of Barenboim respect the number 12. The Sonata K. 533 finds in Badura Skoda a fundamental performing.

These are unconventional performances and if you don' t know Glenn Gould 's human nature you may be find them out of context. But this would be to my mind a narrow minded
Conception. You will find peaks and lows , but in general terms a sincere desire to express a personal vision and in world where it seems to prevail the homogeneity above the singularity, this would be a good point to him.

Idiosyncratic Treasure.......2003-07-15

Has there ever been a pianist as controversial as Glenn Gould? Reviewers, amateur and professional alike, make the assumption that they know how the music ought to be played. Frankly, I don't know which is the more presumtuous, Gould, in playing an Andante movement Allego molto, or reviewers, in making this assumption. Moreover, the philosophical underpinnings of reviewers' judgements are typically unexamined, or obscure at best. Gould represents one extreme of piano playing; he does indeed often hold himself above the composer and do just what he feels like doing. However, at the other extreme we find another kind of egocentricity, pianists who regard their interpretation as "authentic"; who bring their considerable intelligence and scholarship to bear on scores and manuscripts and autographs and historical books, rendering a performance (in their view) as close as possible to the composer's intentions. Oddly, some of these peformances are a quite as idiosyncratic of Mr Gould's. I've always been uncomfortable with reviewers and pianists who presume there is an ultimate interpretation, and that deviation from this is wrong. Rather, I think, the musician's job is revelatory, and this Mr Gould accomplishes in spades. He could not have accomplished this without both an extraordinary technique and a playful, if intense, spirit of experimentation. An auditioner familiar with "traditional" interpretations of these sonatas approaching this one with a judgemental mind may well be appalled. But someone free of the shackles of preconception will find doors and vistas open he never dreamed of. Would I include this CD set in a time capsule to another galaxy as representative of Mozart? Not without a companion set, perhaps by Walter Klien. How much richer and truer a message from planet Earth these two are than either alone.

horrible.......2003-04-16

This is the most ridiculous recording I have ever heard. I want my money back! Gould ruins each piece (even the few he plays well) with humming in the background. As picky as record producers are, I am surprised they even wasted the money to reissue this recording on Masterworks. The humming makes it unbearable to listen to. Some of his interpretations are fine, but he completely destroys the D minor Fantasia. I could play it better! Great music, horrible recording!

Gould could have done better.......2002-05-29

I'm even liking Gould's Bach less and less these days. I DEMAND consistency from artists! (Just kidding.) (Or am I.) Well, Gould hits the nail on the head with a few movements here. Fine. But playing some of the movements super-slow, super-fast, what the heck is going on here. Oh, right; it's Gould's musicianship shining through. Play the score, Glenn ol' boy. I bought this set on sale, so I guess I'm keeping it, but I'm in the market for another set of the sonatas. Not my favorite works by Mozart, but I like listening to them now and then. You know; it's Mozart. Too bad Kempff et al. didn't record the complete Mozart sonatas. Overall, an interesting, but not really essential, set.

Absolutely Addictive........2001-02-02

Beauty and perfection! Glenn Gould's interpretation of the Sonata in A Major K331 is so intensely beautiful that it draws 100% of the listener's concentration onto every single note. The slow tempo of the intro lends to the overall intense effect. K332 is wonderful.

Mozart: Piano Sonatas Vol 2 / Walter Klien

Average customer rating:

Exemplary Rendition at a Bargain Price!
Perfection
The Best Bargain in Mozart on Disc!

Mozart: Piano Sonatas Vol 2 / Walter Klien

Manufacturer: Vox (Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Mozart: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 1
Schubert: Complete Piano Sonatas, Vol. 1
Schubert: Complete Piano Sonatas, Vol. 3
Walter Klien plays Brahms
Mozart: Twelve Great Piano Concerti

ASIN: B000001K2V
Release Date: 1992-11-04

Tracks:

Theme (Andante Grazioso) And Variations
Menuetto
Alla Turca-Allegretto
Allegro
Adagio
Allegro Assai
Allegro
Andante Cantabile
Allegretto Grazioso
Allegro
Adagio
Allegretto

Tracks:

Fantasy In C Minor, K. 475
Allegro
Adagio
Molto Allegro
Allegro
Andante
Rondo, K. 494
Allegro
Adagio
Allegretto
Allegro
Andante
Rondo-Allegretto

Customer Reviews:

Exemplary Rendition at a Bargain Price!.......2004-11-28

Walter Klien is a superb interpreter of Mozart's piano music. His is a style that exemplifies the best of the Viennese school pianism: no extremes in dynamics, fluid phrasing, every note polished to a beautiful sheen. Klien is not the only exponent of this school, of course; Ingrid Haebler, Lili Kraus and Christoph Eschenbach are also notable holders of this tradition. But Klien's set is probably the most competitively priced of them all, and is a fine introduction for anyone wishing to become acquainted with this music.

This volume also contains some of Mozart's most famous piano music: the incredible outpouring of creativity in the 3 Sonatas from K 331 to K 333 (i.e. the well-known Turkish March of K. 331, and the extended virtuosic Rondos in both K. 332 and K. 333); the weighty Fantasia and Sonata in C Minor; the fine contrapuntal writings in the late masterpiece K. 576; and the ubiquitous C Major "Easy" Sonata, K. 545. You won't go wrong with this set.

Perfection.......2000-10-25

I have never understood the hoopla about Uchida's playing. For my ears her Mozart is too heavy. This set by Klien has been my favoirte recording of the Mozart Piano Sonatas for a long time. I also have the set recorded by Lili Kraus which is interesting to the point of being bizarre in some of the pieces but I like it none-the-less. Her live playing was also extremely heavy. But back to Klien...this set is a shining jewel and you will not find a lower price.

The Best Bargain in Mozart on Disc!.......2000-01-27

There are a number of sets of the Mozart sonatas which are so fine as to be considered "classics" in their own right; Uchida's lovely version on Philips being one that springs to mind; there are a few others of equal stature. But none surpasses and very few ever come near to equalling this exquisite set. Walter Klien is not as well known as Brendel or Kovacevich or their peers but his realization of Mozart's sonatas is, in a word, perfection. And this second volume is every bit the equal of the first. From the haunting loveliness and uncluttered simplicity of the Andante grazioso of the A Major Sonata, K. 331, to its justly famous (and really fun!) "Alla Turca" rondo finale, and all the other wonderful pieces that follow, listening to this recording is a blissful and humanizing experience-- it's music that sinks deep into one's soul, that feeds it, and which becomes only more wonderful with repeated listening. Klien's playing is flawless: perfectly modulated, embracing sentiment without a trace of sentimentality, able to be pretty without preciosity; and the Vox recording is splendid, the piano tone rich, with perfect balance between deep bass and bright, clean treble. And the piece-de-resistance is that it comes at the very lowest price: you can buy both volumes for less than a single volume of the other sets and get what is arguably the finest recording in the bargain -- with change left over! An essential part of every music lover's collection, and one that will bring hours of unalloyed fulfilment. The Penguin Guide awarded the Klien set a Rosette (its "academy award") and I heartily agree!

Mozart: Sonatas for Piano and Violin, Vol. 2: K 306, 302, 296 & 377

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Mozart: Sonatas for Piano and Violin, Vol. 2: K 306, 302, 296 & 377

Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Mozart: Complete Sonatas for Keyboard and Violin, Vol. 2 [Hybrid SACD]

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Lovely

Mozart: Complete Sonatas for Keyboard and Violin, Vol. 2 [Hybrid SACD]

Manufacturer: Channel Classics Nl
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Mozart: Complete Sonatas for Keyboard & Violin, Vol. 1 [Hybrid SACD]
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Bach: Complete Sonatas & Partitas for Violin Solo
Russian Violin Concertos [Hybrid SACD]

ASIN: B000B66OQC
Release Date: 2005-10-11

Tracks:

Adagio / Molto Allegro
Tempo Di Menuetto
Sonata In D Major KV 7
Adagio
Menuet I & II
Allegro Con Spirito
Allegro
Adagio
Rondeau
Molto Allegro
Adagio
Allegretto

Customer Reviews:

Lovely.......2006-02-20

I purchased both Vol. 1 &2 together, and I must confess I prefer this CD a little bit more because the music seemed to have matured makes sense, since this music was written by a relatively older Mozart. Podger's violin is yet again beguiling and Cooper's fortepiano is right along there. It's lovely to listen to. I have no other recordings or any other artists to compare this CD to, which I am sure there are others, but I've really taken a liking to Mozart because of these two artists. It is hard to explain intellectually why someone who never listened or cared for classical music should take a notice of Rachel and Gary's CD, but there's something magical about it. I think if you played this in the middle of a rainforest, you'll find the natives enchanted as well. There must be something genetically engrained in the human genome that makes us appreciate such beautiful music. Imagine, this year is Mozart's 250th birthday and we're still going ga ga over him. I really challenge anyone who think they can't appreciate classical music, to give this one a try.

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Mozart: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 1
Heidi Lowy
Manufacturer: Msr Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Mozart: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 5
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Mozart: Piano Sonatas Volume 2
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ASIN: B000051ZMM
Release Date: 2000-11-28

Tracks:

Son No.1 in C, K.279: I. Allegro
Son No.1 in C, K.279: II. Andante
Son No.1 in C, K.279: III. Allegro
Son No.2 in F, K.280: I. Allegro Assai
Son No.2 in F, K.280: II. Adagio
Son No.2 in F, K.280: III. Presto
Son No.3 in B flat, K.281: I. Allegro
Son No.3 in B flat, K.281: II. Andante Amoroso
Son No.3 in B flat, K.281: III. Rondeau. Allegro
Son No.4 in E flat, K.282: I. Adagio
Son No.4 in E flat, K.282: II. Menuetto I-II
Son No.4 in E flat, K.282: III. Allegro

Maria João Pires ~ Mozart - The Complete Sonatas for Piano Vol. 2

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Maria João Pires ~ Mozart - The Complete Sonatas for Piano Vol. 2
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , and Maria João Pires
Manufacturer: Denon Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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