New Mozart Vol. 2

Have you ever wished for more Mozart symphonies, maybe ones that sound a bit like Beethoven? Well, this might scratch that itch. In the 1810s, Mozart’s pupil Ignaz von Seyfried arranged his teacher’s Fantasy and Sonata in C Minor (K. 475 and K. 457) into a four-movement Grande Fantaisie in C Minor, and then movements from a Piano Quartet and Organ Fantasy into the Grande Fantaisie in F Minor. These are the premiere recordings of arrangements that probably haven’t been heard since 1840. The sonata is one of Mozart’s more aggressive pieces (my grad school roommate criticized me for playing it too much like Beethoven), opening with a “Mannheim Rocket”—a quickly ascending line that grabs the attention immediately—which then falls slowly back with chromatic grace. The second Fantaisie is even more gripping, alternating between tragedy and buoyancy in the Allegro; the finale’s fugue brings intricate nobility. The playing is tepid in K. 475, and poor balance sometimes obscures the themes, but the orchestra brings full-throated drama to the fast movements. Trombones and timpani get some especially juicy parts; it’s a joy to hear my favorite Mozart sonata given such an exciting, colorful orchestration.