Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Adagio in B minor K.540 [9:17]
Piano Sonata in C major K330 [18:29]
Piano Sonata in A minor K310 [21:02]
Piano Sonata in A major K331 [23:35]
Massimiliano Ferrati (piano)
rec. Villa San Fermo, Lonigo, Italy, May 2010
VELUT LUNA CVLD 232 [72:22]
Here is a very imaginatively constructed program of three contrasting Mozart
piano sonatas together with the sublime Adagio in B minor. It is played by
a pianist new to me, Massimiliano Ferrati. Born in Adria, Northern Italy in
1970, he studied with the Russian pianist Konstantin Bogino and later with
Paul Badura-Skoda. He has performed in recitals and concerts throughout the
world, works as a chamber musician and gives master-classes. He has won several
piano competitions. A big break came for him in 2001 when he won a bronze
medal in the 10th ‘Arthur Rubinstein’ Competition in
Tel Aviv, a win that kick-started his international career.
The CD gets off to a good start with a beautiful performance of the Adagio
in B minor k540, written in 1788. Ferrati manages to penetrate the depth and
spirituality of the work. He subtly controls the dynamics to highlight the
moments of drama and tension throughout and shapes the bass to accentuate
the harmonic progressions.
The first of the CD’s three sonatas is the C major K330, a light and
sunny work, dating from 1783. Ferrati manages successfully to evoke the sunshine
and deliver a performance which captures the work’s pervasive simplicity
and upbeat nature. Musical phrases are elegantly shaped and bass lines pointed
to build up the architecture of the piece. The scale passages in the first
movement are pearl-like and glow with a crystalline clarity. Tempi are well
judged and dynamics graded in such a way as to add drama to the work. This
is especially so in the central section of the eloquent second movement, where
he successfully allows the darker and more poignant features to emerge from
the light. The allegretto third movement follows in a carefree manner, bringing
the sonata to its joyous conclusion.
In total contrast to the C major sonata, we next encounter K310, one of only
two piano sonatas Mozart wrote in the minor key. This one is in A minor and
was composed in Paris in 1778 when the composer was experiencing a low point
in his fortunes . Some commentators have pointed out that this work mirrored
his failure to succeed in the Parisian artistic environment, but it is worth
pointing out that this visit also produced the Paris symphony K297, an extrovert
work of sunny disposition. Also, in July of that fateful year, his mother
died after a short illness. Is his personal loss reflected in the turbulence
of this work? Ferrati’s performance certainly portrays darkness, emptiness
and desolation. Here there is no peace or resolution. I did, however, feel
that the first movement was little too hard driven compared with Pires in
1974 (Brilliant Classics 927330) and Uchida in her 1985 recording (Philips
422 517). I also like the way that Pires is more expressive and ardent in
the middle movement; after all, it is marked con espressione. Yet Ferrati
does strike the right balance in the presto finale.
Sonata form is completely abandoned in the K331 sonata in A major (1783).
This is probably the best known and frequently played of the all Mozart’s
sonatas. I was looking for a fresh take on this over-popularized work. I’m
afraid I did not find it here. The theme of the variation movement is a graceful
siciliano-like melody. Ferrati’s performance is staid, lacking the grace,
charm and delicacy of the Pires version. The Rondo alla Turca fares
somewhat better, successfully evoking a Turkish march.
The piano sound on this recording is very forward and many, like me, may find
it over-bright. The booklet notes are adequate. Whilst this is a very well
thought-out program in terms of interest and contrast, these performances
would not be my first choice.
Stephen Greenbank
An imaginatively constructed program but would not be my first choice in these
works.
|
Support us financially
by purchasing this disc from
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |