Printable Version: MOZART Complete Keyboard Works - Brilliant 94198 [KM]

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756 - 1791)
Complete Keyboard Works
Bart van Oort (fortepiano)
Ursula Dütschler (fortepiano)
rec. 1997-2005, various locations.
Full Track List at end of review
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94198 [14 CDs: c. 14 hrs]

This budget box set includes all of Mozart’s works for the solo keyboard and for four-hands as well. It starts with early works written when he was just five years old. All of Mozart’s sonatas are here, along with the many sets of variations he composed, as well as miscellaneous works, such as fantasies, rondos and more. Played on fortepiano by Bart van Oort - with Ursula Dütschler for the four-hand works - this set is well played and well recorded. The instruments have a wonderful sound, and the recordings highlight the fortepianos very well. Unlike the overly resonant acoustics of Ronald Brautigam’s recordings, the instruments here sound as if they are in a salon in a home in Vienna.

While I could do without the little pieces that Mozart composed when his age was still counted on the fingers of two hands, it’s nice to find them all collected here on one set. As the discs do not present the works in chronological order, each one has a nice program on its own; usually, a couple of sonatas and one or two other pieces, but two of the later discs are devoted only to variations, and two others to four-hand works.

Bart van Oort is an excellent performer of these works, though at times his playing is a bit mechanical and dry. I prefer Brautigam as a performer, but I have trouble listening to his Mozart recordings because of the acoustics. As there aren’t many performers of Mozart on the fortepiano - at least not for as broad a selection of works as this (Brautigam comes close, but some recordings on the van Oort set claim to be the first fortepiano recordings) - van Oort is certainly a good choice for anyone wanting to hear these works on original instruments.

Lest I sound unenthusiastic about this set, it is a fine collection at a nice price. I’m not overwhelmed by the performances, but the intimate sound makes them a nice listen. The music is charming and lovingly played, and if you have never heard Mozart on a fortepiano, this is a great chance to discover nearly fifteen hours of attractive music at a low price.

Kirk McElhearn
Kirk McElhearn writes about more than just music on his blog Kirkville http://www.mcelhearn.com

A fine collection at a nice price, but I’m not overwhelmed by the performances.

Full Track List
MOZART: EARLY SONATAS AND VARIATIONS
1. Sonata in C Major, KV. 279 (1775): I. Allegro 04:59
2. Sonata in C Major, KV. 279 (1775): II. Andante 05:26
3. Sonata in C Major, KV. 279 (1775): III. Allegro 03:25
4. Twelve variations, KV. 179 (1774) on a Menuet by Johann Christian Fischer 12:43
5. Sonata in F Major, KV. 280 (1775): I. Allegro assai 04:52
6. Sonata in F Major, KV. 280 (1775): II. Adagio 06:27
7. Sonata in F Major, KV. 280 (1775): III. Presto 02:55
8. Six Variations, KV. 180 (1773) on 'Mio caro Adone' from the opera 'La fiera di Venezia' by Antonio Salieri 07:20
9. Sonata in B-Flat Major, KV. 281 (1775): I. Allegro 04:49
10. Sonata in B-Flat Major, KV. 281 (1775): II. Andante amoroso 05:06
11. Sonata in B-Flat Major, KV. 281 (1775): III. Rondeau: Allegro 04:28
MOZART: KEYBOARD WORKS 4 - HANDS AND TWO PIANOS
1. Sonata in C Major, KV. 358 (1773-74): I. Allegro 05:39
2. Sonata in C Major, KV. 358 (1773-74): II. Adagio 06:52
3. Sonata in C Major, KV. 358 (1773-74): III. Molto presto 04:10
4. Adagio and Allegro for mechanical organ in F Minor, KV. 594 (1790) 09:01
5. Fugue in C Minor for two pianos, KV. 426 (1783) 04:14
6. Sonata in D Major for two pianos, KV. 448 (1781): I. Allegro con spirito 11:30
7. Sonata in D Major for two pianos, KV. 448 (1781): I. Andante 09:29
8. Sonata in D Major for two pianos, KV. 448 (1781): III. Molto allegro 06:37
MOZART: KEYBOARD WORKS 4-HANDS, VOL. I
1. Sonata in D Major, KV. 381 (1772): I. Allegro 05:42
2. Sonata in D Major, KV. 381 (1772): II. Andante 08:23
3. Sonata in D Major, KV. 381 (1772): III. Allegro molto 04:18
4. Fugue in G Minor, KV. 401 (1782) 03:38
5. Sonata in F Major, KV. 497 (1786): I. Adagio - allegro di molto 12:22
6. Sonata in F Major, KV. 497 (1786): II. Andante 13:30
7. Sonata in F Major, KV. 497 (1786): III. Allegro 07:46
MOZART: KEYBOARD WORKS 4-HANDS, VOL. II
1. Sonata in C Major, KV. 19d (1765): I. Allegro 06:19
2. Sonata in C Major, KV. 19d (1765): II. Menuetto 03:11
3. Sonata in C Major, KV. 19d (1765): II. Rondeau: Allegretto 05:31
4. Fantasy in F Minor for mechanical organ, KV. 608 (1791) 09:11
5. Andante and Variations in G Major, KV. 501 (1786) 07:48
6. Sonata in C Major, KV. 521 (1787): I. Allegro 13:20
7. Sonata in C Major, KV. 521 (1787): II. Andante 06:40
8. Sonata in C Major, KV. 521 (1787): III. Allegretto 08:11
MOZART: MISCELLANEOUS KEYBOARD WORKS
1. Overture to Die Entführung aus dem Serail, KV. 384 (1782-83) 04:13
2. Adagio in F Major, KV. Anh. A65 (1772-73) 07:23
3. Modulating Prelude, KV. 624 (1776-1777) 04:05
4. Adagio in C Major, KV. 356 (1791) for glass harmonica 03:05
5. Six Variations, KV. 54 (1788) on an Allegretto 06:31
6. March in C Major, KV. 408/1 (1782) 03:28
7. Minuet in D Major KV. 355 (1789-90) and Trio by Stadler 05:41
8. Andante, KV. 616 (1791) for a mechanical organ in F Major 07:02
9. Contredanse in D Major, KV. 534 (1788) Das Donnerwetter 00:49
10. Capriccio in C Major, KV. 395 (1777) 04:10
11. Three piano pieces, arranged as a Sonata: I. Allegro in G Minor, KV. 312 (1789-90) 05:18
12. Three piano pieces, arranged as a Sonata: II. Andantino in E-Flat Major, KV. 236 (1790?) 02:14
13. Three piano pieces, arranged as a Sonata: III. Allegro in B-Flat Major, KV. 400 (1781) 06:45
MOZART: MOZART AND POLYPHONY
1. Prelude and Fugue in C Major, KV. 394 (1782): I. Prelude 04:39
2. Prelude and Fugue in C Major, KV. 394 (1782): II. Fugue 04:54
3. Sonata in F Major, KV. 533 (1788): I. Allegro 08:20
4. Sonata in F Major, KV. 533 (1788): II. Andante 10:37
5. Sonata in F Major, KV. 533 (1788): III. Rondo: allegretto 06:05
6. Suite in C Major, KV. 399 (1782): I. Ouverture: grave - allegro 04:42
7. Suite in C Major, KV. 399 (1782): II. Allemande: Andante 03:58
8. Suite in C Major, KV. 399 (1782): III. Courante: allegretto 02:35
9. Eine Kleine Gigue, KV. 574 (1789) 01:36
10. Marche funèbre del Sigr Maestro Contrapunto, KV. 453a (1784) 02:25
11. Prelude in F Minor, KV. Anh. 32 (1789) 02:03
12. Sonata in C Major, KV. 545: I. Allegro 04:27
13. Sonata in C Major, KV. 545: II. Andante 06:22
14. Sonata in C Major, KV. 545: III. Rondo 01:54
15. Two short Fugues, KV. 154a (1772-73): I. Fugue in D 00:30
16. Two short Fugues, KV. 154a (1772-73): II. Fugue in G 00:30
MOZART: MOZART'S CHILDHOOD
1. Eight Variations, KV. 24 (1766) on the Dutch song 'Laat ons juichen, Batavieren' by Christian Ernst Graaf 05:30
2. Andante in C, KV. 1a (1761) 00:21
3. Allegro in C, KV. 1b (1761) 00:15
4. Allegro del Sgr. Wolfgango Mozart 11ten Decembris 1761 in F, KV. 1c 00:36
5. Menuetto del Sgr. Wolfgango Mozart 16t o Decembris 1761 in F, KV. 1d 01:02
6. Minuet and Trio in G, KV. 1e/f (1761-2) 01:42
7. Minuet in F, KV. 2 (1761-2) 00:48
8. Allegro in B-Flat Major, KV. 3 (1762) 01:20
9. Minuet in F, KV. 4 (1762) 01:12
10. Minuet In F, KV. 5 (1762) 00:56
11. Allegro in C, KV. 9a (1763) 02:45
12. Klavierstück in F, KV. 33B (1766) 01:00
13. Minuet in D, KV. 61g II (1769?) 01:47
14. Klavierstück in B-Flat Major, KV. Deest (1768?) 01:40
15. London Sketchbook, KV. 15a, Anh. 109b/1: German Dance 00:41
16. London Sketchbook, KV. 15b, Anh. 109b/2: Contredance 00:36
17. London Sketchbook, KV. 15c: Minuet 00:27
18. London Sketchbook, KV. 15d: Moderato 01:01
19. London Sketchbook, KV. 15e: Contredance 00:39
20. London Sketchbook, KV. 15f: Minuet 00:33
21. London Sketchbook, KV. 15h: Contredance 00:20
22. London Sketchbook, KV. 15i/K: Minuet and Trio 01:14
23. London Sketchbook, KV. 15l: Contredance 00:49
24. London Sketchbook, KV. 15m, Anh. 109b/4: Minuet 00:32
25. London Sketchbook, KV. 15n: Andante 00:52
26. London Sketchbook, KV. 15o: Adagio 01:20
27. London Sketchbook, KV. 15p, Anh. 109b/3: Presto 01:28
28. London Sketchbook, KV. 15q: Andante 01:26
29. London Sketchbook, KV. 15r, Anh. 109b/7: Gigue 00:53
30. London Sketchbook, KV. 15s: German Dance 00:35
31. London Sketchbook, KV. 15t, Anh. 109b/5: Allegro 02:18
32. London Sketchbook, KV.15u: Siciliano 00:59
33. London Sketchbook, KV. 15v: Allegretto 01:43
34. London Sketchbook, KV. 15w: Moderato 01:19
35. London Sketchbook, KV. 15x, Anh. 109b/6: Allegro 00:53
36. London Sketchbook, KV. 15y: Andante 00:39
37. London Sketchbook, KV. 15z: Gigue 01:16
38. London Sketchbook, KV. 15aa: Allegro 00:55
39. London Sketchbook, KV. 15bb: Allegro 00:52
40. London Sketchbook, KV. 15cc: Allegro maestoso 01:29
41. London Sketchbook, KV. 15ee: Poco andante 00:30
42. London Sketchbook, KV. 15ff, Anh. 109b/8: Minuet 00:27
43. London Sketchbook, KV. 15gg: Contredance 01:20
44. London Sketchbook, KV. 15hh: Minuet and Trio 01:39
45. London Sketchbook, KV. 15ii: Andante 01:16
46. London Sketchbook, KV. 15kk: Allegro 01:03
47. London Sketchbook, KV. 15ll, Anh. 109b/9: Presto 00:27
48. London Sketchbook, KV. 15mm: Andante 00:34
49. London Sketchbook, KV. 15oo: German Dance 00:23
50. London Sketchbook, KV. 15pp/Qq: Minuet And Trio 01:17
51. Ballet fusic from Ascanio in Alba, KV. 111 (known as nine Pieces for piano, KV. Anh. 207) (1771?) 08:05
52. Seven variations KV. 25 (1766) on the Dutch song 'Willem van Nassau' 06:22
MOZART: SONATAS AND DANCES
1. Sonata in A Major, KV. 331 (1781-83): I. Andante grazioso. Theme and six variations 13:47
2. Sonata in A Major, KV. 331 (1781-83): II. Menuetto 06:13
3. Sonata in A Major, KV. 331 (1781-83): III. Alla Turca: allegretto 03:28
4. Minuet in C, KV. 315a (1773) 01:46
5. Minuet in G, KV. 315a (1773) 01:43
6. Minuet in D, KV. 315a (1773) 01:31
7. Minuet in C, KV. 315a (1773) 01:49
8. Minuet in F, KV. 315a (1773) 01:46
9. Minuet in D, KV. 315a (1773) 01:51
10. Minuet in A, KV. 315a (1773) 01:31
11. Minuet in G, KV. 315a (1773) 02:03
12. Sonata in F major, KV. 332 'Pastorale' (1781-83): I. Allegro 06:43
13. Sonata in F major, KV. 332 'Pastorale' (1781-83): II. Adagio 04:47
14. Sonata in F major, KV. 332 'Pastorale' (1781-83): III. Allegro assai 07:06
15. Six German Dances, KV. 509 (1787) 11:28
MOZART: SONATAS AND FANTASIES
1. Sonata in B-Flat Major, KV. 333 (1783-84): I. Allegro 07:15
2. Sonata in B-Flat Major, KV. 333 (1783-84): II. Andante cantabile 07:23
3. Sonata in B-Flat Major, KV. 333 (1783-84): III. Allegretto grazioso 06:12
4. Fantasy in D Minor, KV 397 (1782) 05:14
5. Fantasy In C Minor, KV. 396 (1782) 08:59
6. Sonata in C Major, KV. 330 (1781-83): I. Allegro moderato 06:19
7. Sonata in C Major, KV. 330 (1781-83): II. Andante cantabile 06:32
8. Sonata in C Major, KV. 330 (1781-83): III. Allegretto 05:33
MOZART: SONATAS AND RONDOS
1. Sonata in E-Flat Major, KV. 282 (1775): I. Adagio 07:32
2. Sonata in E-Flat Major, KV. 282 (1775): II. Menuetto I - Menuetto II 04:07
3. Sonata in E-Flat Major, KV. 282 (1775): III. Allegro 03:07
4. Rondo in D Major, KV. 485 (1786) 06:46
5. Sonata in G Major, KV. 283 (1775): I. Allegro 06:05
6. Sonata in G Major, KV. 283 (1775): II. Andante 06:40
7. Sonata in G Major, KV. 283 (1775): III. Presto 06:16
8. Rondo in A Minor, KV. 511 (1787) 10:02
9. Sonata in D Major, KV. 284 (1775): I. Allegro 05:04
10. Sonata in D Major, KV. 284 (1775): II. Rondeau en Polonaise 05:22
11. Sonata in D Major, KV. 284 (1775): III. Andante. Theme and twelve Variations 14:13
MOZART: SONATAS AND VARIATIONS
1. Sonata in C Major, KV. 309 (1777): I. Allegro con spirito 05:40
2. Sonata in C Major, KV. 309 (1777): II. Andante un poco adagio 04:57
3. Sonata in C Major, KV. 309 (1777): III. Rondeau: allegretto grazioso 05:51
4. Three Variations, KV. 460 (1784) on 'Come un agnello' from the opera 'Fra i due litiganti il terzo gode' by Giuseppe Sarti 05:47
5. Sonata in A Minor, KV. 310 (1778): I. Allegro maestoso 05:30
6. Sonata in A Minor, KV. 310 (1778): II. Andante cantabile 09:41
7. Sonata in A Minor, KV. 310 (1778): III. Presto 02:51
8. Twelve Variations, KV. 265 (1778) on the French song 'Ah, vous dirai-je, Maman' 11:57
9. Sonata in D Major, KV. 311 (1777): I. Allegro con spirito 04:51
10. Sonata in D Major, KV. 311 (1777): II. Andante con espressione 05:13
11. Sonata in D Major, KV. 311 (1777): III. Rondeau: allegro 06:06
MOZART: SONATAS, FANTASY AND ADAGIO
1. Sonata in B-Flat Major, KV. 570 (1789): I. Allegro 06:08
2. Sonata in B-Flat Major, KV. 570 (1789): II. Adagio 08:13
3. Sonata in B-Flat Major, KV. 570 (1789): III. Allegretto 03:57
4. Fantasy in C Minor, KV. 475 (1785) 11:13
5. Sonata in C Minor, KV. 457 (1784): I. Molto allegro 05:26
6. Sonata in C Minor, KV. 457 (1784): II. Adagio 07:51
7. Sonata in C Minor, KV. 457 (1784): III. Allegro assai 04:48
8. Adagio in B Minor, KV. 540 (1788) 06:52
9. Sonata in D Major, KV. 576 (1789): I. Allegro 05:35
10. Sonata in D Major, KV. 576 (1789): I. Adagio 05:04
11. Sonata in D Major, KV. 576 (1789): III. Allegretto 04:32
MOZART: VARIATIONS, VOL. I
1. Nine variations, KV. 264 (1778) on the arietta 'Lison dormait' from the opera 'Julie' by Nicolas Dezède 14:20
2. Twelve variations, KV. 353 (1778) on the French song 'Le Belle Françoise' 14:11
3. Twelve variations, KV. 354 (1778) on the Romance 'Je Suis Lindor' from 'Le Barbier de Seville' by Beaumarchais..... 15:13
4. Eight variations, KV. 352 (1781) on the chorus 'Dieu d'amour' from the opera 'Les Marriages Samnites' by André-Ernest..... 11:16
5. Six variations, KV. 398 (1783) on 'Salve tu, Domine' from the opera 'I filosofi immaginarii' by Giovanni Paisiello 06:47
MOZART: VARIATIONS, VOL. II
1. Six variations, (KV. 581), KV. Anh. 137 (after Sept. 1789) on a theme from the Clarinet Quintet 09:01
2. Ten variations, KV. 455 (1783-84) on the aria 'Unser Dummer Pöbel Meint' From 'La Rencontre imprévue' by Christoph.... 12:52
3. Twelve variations, KV. 500 (1786) on an Allegretto 08:39
4. Nine variations, KV. 573 (1789) on a Menuet by Jean-Pierre Duport 13:34
5. Eight variations, KV. 613 (1791) on the song 'Ein Weib ist das herrlichste Ding' from the Singspiel 'Der Dumme Gärtner'..... 13:58