Search - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Alfred Brendel :: Mozart: Adagio in B minor, Piano Sonatas K 332, 333, & 457

Masterful Performance; Masterful Music

Dr. Christopher Coleman | HONG KONG | 11/18/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In this wonderful collection of four of Mozart's later piano works, Alfred Brendel brings us the pinnacle of the high Classic style. This is Brendel's musical home, the literature with which he has made his reputation and on which he is concentrating in this, his 70th year. This particular CD unites the sonatas in F major and Bb major, K. 332 and 333, with the sonata in C minor K. 457 and the Adagio in B minor, K. 540. Interestingly, although the Köchel catalogue of Mozart's works puts these two major key sonatas near the middle of his output, the CD notes tell us that they are more likely later works. Certainly a musical examination of the pieces show Mozart at his most sophisticated and imaginative. What elegant music this is! Every aspect of composition, from melody and accompaniment through harmony, rhythm, and texture are treated in a refined and graceful manner. My study of Mozart has led me to an ever-increasing appreciation for his vast talent, and even after teaching the sonatas for years I still find marvellous new details. Compare, for example, the opening of the first movement of K. 333 to the second movement of the same sonata. Listen for fragments of themes from the first movement reappearing transformed in this slow movement.And although very refined, this music has a real sense of drama as well. In the opening of the F major sonata Mozart follows the reserved first theme with a sudden lurch into the relative minor and a complete contrast in dynamics, melody, harmony, rhythm and texture. The second theme, which begins with an extremely refined melody, contains an excursion into a musical world without melody, in which harmony, dynamic contrast and rhythm are the sole focus--modern listeners may find themselves momentarily reminded of a tango, although of course that would not have been Mozart's intention. The whole of the movement demonstrates compositional mastery of the highest sort, in which the listener's expectations are established then resolved in unexpected but completely appropriate ways. It's as if Mozart breaks the compositional "rules" in order to demonstrate the very purpose of those rules.Alfred Brendel's performance matches Mozart's music perfectly. Although there are different interpretations of this music--some faster, some slower, some with more Romantic exaggeration (notably Horowitz), some more reserved, there are none better. Every note seems perfectly considered, and Brendel's sense of musical line, his delicate shadings of tempo and his subtle pianistic touch make these performances an unqualified success."

Mozart played the way it was intended

thestorm | Hillsboro, IL USA | 03/01/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have several discs of Mozart solo piano as performed by Alfred Brendel and many performed by others, but it is always Brendel that my ear craves to hear. Brendel is not affraid to play this music the way that the original composer meant for the music to be played. Mozart's intentions and the intentions of many of the composers of that time frame was for the written music to be a frame wrok for one to improvise upon. This is almost impossible to find. The current attitude of stunch unbending reproduction of the printed page can lead to head aches if iven enough time. this is where Brendel shines. He is not affraid to leave the printed page.I highly recomend purchasing a copy of the pronted music to follow along wih any recordings of Mozart as performed by Brendel. You will be astounded by the subtle yet powerful improvisations that you will find littered throughout your listening experience.You will not be dissapointed!!"

Excellent Brendel/Mozart

thestorm | 06/04/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This Sonatas is superb played by Brendel and is so far on my list of "best Mozart discs from 2001-2002" :-) but this disc also give you lifelong enjoy and I hope your life be long so you can listen to this superb disc many times.Highly recommended."