Customer Reviews

Mozart: Music for Two Pianos & Piano Duets

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There's so much wonderful music written for two pianists (on one or two pianos) that it's really a pity that they are not often performed nowadays. It's one of the losses brought about by the 19th century (the age of the piano virtuoso), leading to today's solitary virtuosi who only care about showing off their technique and who hate to share the credit with someone else.

Those who think that works written for two pianists are always inferior to solo works should listen to this disc, which contains some wonderful gems. The Duo Sonata in C major K. 521 (written around the time of Don Giovanni) is a lively and vivacious work, yet containing hints of melancholy. More melancholy, along with poetry and warmth, could be found in the Duo Sonata in F major K. 497, certainly a masterpiece if there ever was one. Those who dismiss Mozart's music as cute but nothing more should listen to the Fugue in C minor for two pianos K. 426, a stern, intense and vigorous work that is anything but superficial (not to mention a work admired by Beethoven). Finally, there's the Sonata in D major for two pianos K. 448 (375a), a delightful work whose high spirits are infectious.

Ingrid Haebler and Ludwig Hoffmann (who perform everything but the Eb Sonata fragment) play these works with dedication, a wide variety of articulation and dynamics, and a great sense of ensemble. They do not "prettify" the music as many pianists do when they play Mozart. The sound quality, while quite good, is not top-notch -- the upper frequencies seem rather dampened, but this could be mostly solved by turning up the volume a little higher than usual (or by using a graphic equalizer).

Anyone who cares about works for two pianists (one or two pianos), or Mozart, or both should get these CDs (two for the price of one!) -- you won't be disappointed.

Works for two pianos are possibly the hardest pieces to get right. More than one player demands a unity and synthesis between musicians - each listening with care to the other. On the other hand, less than 3 players means that any mistake will be especially noticeable (most of all, slips of tempo.) The players here (mostly Haebler and Hoffman) do extraordiarily well. Each movement has a distinct style and the musicians convey the unique mood and spirit of each - from the frolicking Rondo of KV 19d to the introspective pangs of KV 497's Adagio. They cover it all with equal grace and charm.

For me, what made this disc stand out the most is that through these, we can trace Mozarts full career. The first sonata was written when he was 9 and appropriately has a playful feel of youth. By contrast, the last sonata was written at age 31 - 3 years before his all-too-soon death. The middle pieces become more mature and contemplative and the mentioned last sonata returns to a playfulness that is more grown-up. As these are presented chronologically, we are able to follow Mozarts full musical progression - a priceless treat indeed! Worth every penney!!

I was struck by Martha when she played some of these pieces, first with a South American pianist and later with Kissin: she has shown me how magical these pieces could sound. With four extremely skilful hands and two great musical minds at work, Mozart's imagination is given extra wings!

I used to refer to Eschenbach's version quite often albeit Ingrid Habler's Mozart Violin Sonatas (with Szeryng, Philips) have given me loads of joy for decades. Eschenbach's approach is however completely different... In any event, there is no way that Ingrid's playing could ever let us down. She has given us the full flavour of Mozart's music: both his pathos and frolics. Her playing keenly brings to our minds Mozart's life including the themes of his great operas or even the vibrant lives of those aristocrats in Salzburg and Vienna at the time. Hers is closer, if not superior, to Martha's. Hers is the one that I refer to more often now.

Glenn Gould had concluded that Mozart's music was "impossible", why bother about his reading if you have any respect for his viewpoint. For those who haven't gone beyond Gould, they should give themselves a treat and Ingrid a try: and chances are, they will know how much they had missed sooner.

Much has already been written about this lovely 2 CD set, all of it has quite appropriately been glowing. I really just wanted to get in a sixth vote for 5 stars. My Mozart CD collection, at last count, consisted of 152 CDs. Many people think that I'm insane to have that many of his works, especially the numerous duplicates of the piano concerti by different pianists, conductors, and orchestras. So, insane or not, I listen to a lot of Mozart through an audiophile super system. When Mostly Mozart week in Washington DC was cut out I went into mourning.

OK, enough about me. This set ranks in my top 15 of 152. That means that it's first class. If you don't own this set I suggest you buy it. You never know when Phillips might take it off of the market.

This two-disc set of Mozart piano duets by Ingrid Haebler, Jörg Demus, Ludwig Hoffmann, and Paul Badura-Skoda must surely rank as one of the most delightful recordings of these cheery and insightful piano works from the person who knew the piano as well as, but in a different way, Beethoven. These pieces are filled with lovely tunes, gorgeous compositional elements, and thought-provoking themes. These works are some of the rare pieces that can be enjoyed even by those not "into" classical music, but the level of sophistication is so great that even the greatest aficionado can be completely captivated. Philip's recording is clean and bright without harshness (a typical achievement by Philips, and a hallmark of their many recording endeavors), and the sound stage is such that we feel we are sitting right next to the the pianos. (A tip to even further increase your enjoyment of this set: listen with headphones.)

I have enjoyed tremendously the two CD's. I am not a musician so I cannot comment on that end. For the price and quality, cannot go wrong.