Customer Reviews

Vienna Years 1782-1789: Sonatas Fantasies Rondos

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I was caught off-guard when I purchased this recording -- the late Mozart piano music is performed on a modern facsimile of a Mozart-aged piano. Generally speaking, I find "on original instrument" recordings unexciting and frequently downright tedious. The playing here is thoughtful and heartfelt, and it is spirited enough to bring out the music's beauty, pathos and charm.

To tell the truth, I bought this recording because I was looking for the late Mozart piano without having to deal with the early pieces. I have heard the Glenn Gould recordings from the 60's and the de Larrocha from the early 90's. The Gould was quite satisfying although offbeat in his usual, stylized way (which works much better with Bach if you ask me). de Larrocha gives solid performances.

van Immerseel gives better renditions than either of the other artists -- a wonderful combination of smartness and feeling. I almost wonder if the instrument he is playing on doesn't bear some of the responsibility for this. Just to let you know, the instrument sounds more like a piano than a harpsichord, but is still "pluckier" than the modern creation.

Although I've only listened to this recording a few times through, I confess, it's growing on me quickly.

This set is a must for any true classical music fan. It's played on a Clarke fortepiano that was buit in 1988 to replicate Mozart's Walter fortepiano, including the hammers which are covered with antelope leather, and the dampers which are covered with elk & deer leather -- just like the original instrument. A fortepiano doesn't have the sound volume of a modern piano -- the "improvement" that permitted large concert hall performances. What it has instead is a clarity in pitch and lack of reverb -- and oh my, what additional beauty this brings to Mozart's solo piano works! These sonatas and small pieces are so intimately played that they rival my Brendel collection. For years I made the mistake of avoiding Mozart's piano sonatas believing they were merely "teaching pieces" that didn't display Mozart's creativity. In addition to the great fortepiano, Jos van Immerseel's sensitive musicality, and Mozart's consummate craftmanship, this CD set is perfectly recorded in crystal clear digital. Pure enjoyment.