Search - Mozart, Cyprien Katsaris :: Mozart: Fantasias & Sonatas

MAJOR Minor-key Mozart...

Sébastien Melmoth | Hôtel d'Alsace, PARIS | 03/08/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

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This exquisite programme by Cyprian Katsaris features Mozart's rare Sturm und Drang piano works wherein Amadeus reveals his proto-Romantic introspective inclinations: for though Mozart rarely spoke extensively in minor keys, when he did, he had ideas of import to impart: musings of quizzical longing interpolated with violent outbursts which virtually anticipate Schubert: this is music (as Glenn Gould has noted) of the subjective ethos "which Mozart in his philosophic moods longed to espouse."



Katsaris is a visionary artist who possesses crispness of touch with an incredible symmetry of tone-decay: his technique consists of crystalline timing, clarity, tactile cleanness, and controlled vehemence in the service of great passion.



Katsaris respects Mozart's expressed intention that the Fantasia (K.475) be performed as a prelude to the Sonata (K.457), superbly realizing this with a breathless attacca which (at ~32'00" duration) produces Mozart's most substantial work for solo piano: this remarkable combination of K.475+K.457 (c-minor) consists of eight sections:



i. Adagio

ii. Allegro

iii. Andantino

iv. Più allegro

v. Adagio

vi. Allegro molto

vii. Adagio

viii. Allegro assai.



(Katsaris squeezes much loveliness out of vii;

but no one could surpass Gould's incisive intensity in viii:

for while Katsaris skips and darts, Gould charges and thrusts.)



Katsaris continues the programme with the Fantasia K.397, which consists of an imbalanced duplex of a darkly-dreamy minor-key toccata (04'30") with a debonair conclusion (01'25").



The next Fantasia (K.396) begins as a quasi-Schubertian Impromptu (cf., D.935); unfortunately, the provenience of this work is problematic.



The programme is concluded by the echt-Classical Sonata K.309.

Charm and verve are on display here, with Katsaris' equitable temperance versus Gould's spikey exuberance.

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Fantasy (c-minor) K.475:

Katsaris [12'23]

Gould [15'01"]

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Sonata (c-minor) K.457:

Katsaris,

Allegro molto [07'09"]

Adagio [07'13"]

Allegro assai [04'56"]



Gould,

Allegro molto [04'17"]

Adagio [12'09"]

Allegro assai [04'55"]

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Fantasia (d-minor) K.397:

Katsaris [05'55"]

Gould [08'18"]

Pogorelich [06'24"]

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Sonata (C-major) K.309:

Katsaris,

Allegro con spirito [05'37"]

Andante un poco Adagio [05'59"]

Rondeau: Allegretto grazioso [05'57"]



Gould,

Allegro con spirito [03'38"]

Andante un poco Adagio [06'26"]

Rondeau: Allegretto grazioso [05'35"]

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Note: Mozart keyboard enthusiasts may enjoy his late Fantasia (f-minor) K.608 in versions for solo organ or piano duo, and Gould's stunning reading of the earlier a-minor Sonata K.310.

Piano Sonatas 3



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