BaL 01.02.25 - Mozart: Piano sonata 15

[Pulcinella]

1500
Building a Library
Kenneth Hamilton chooses his favourite version of Mozart's Piano Sonata No. 15 in F Major, KV 533/494

(I'm sure that someone here will know/explain why there are two K numbers associated with the piece. Once more, there are no further details on the website.)

Presto listing (many in sets of the complete sonatas) here:

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/works/55177--mozart-piano-sonata-no-15-in-f-major-k533-494/browse

[smittims]

As far as I can discover, Mozart incorporated the earlier piece into the 533 but revised it in the process. I think some pianists don't play it as they consider it an unfinished or imperfect work, but the signs are that Mozart was satisfied, as he offered it to Hoffmeister for publcation.

Apart from downoads, it's surely impossible to buy a recording of just this sonata, and indeed many available recordings wil be so only as part of a 5-CD set of all 17 (or 18!) . So choosing a 'best buy' will be difficult. Easy for me. it's always Gieseking first then everyone else. Barenboim is profound, as always, but maybe too heavy for some these days. His EMI recording takes 27 minutes,the andante alone over thirteen.

[Mandryka]

I like Yudina

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTPUGj-btMw

The elephant in the room is Pletnev

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tQJ9pRH2OI

[Petrushka]

1500
Building a Library
Kenneth Hamilton chooses his favourite version of Mozart's Piano Sonata No. 15 in F Major, KV 533/494

(I'm sure that someone here will know/explain why there are two K numbers associated with the piece. Once more, there are no further details on the website.)

Presto listing (many in sets of the complete sonatas) here:

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/works/55177--mozart-piano-sonata-no-15-in-f-major-k533-494/browse

I've often wondered why some of Mozart's works have more than one K number without bothering to look it up. It's because they were written in multiple parts. The Kochel catalogue is in date order and, in the case of the Sonata No 15, the Rondeau finale was written first (K494). Mozart added the other movements later to the existing finale (K533).

[Petrushka]

I'm wondering if BaL are starting a trend of considering shorter pieces tailored for the download generation? If so, it will be like going back to the 78 era! Looking forward, then, to future BaL's on Flight of the Bumblebee and Chopin's Minute Waltz.

[silvestrione]

I'm wondering if BaL are starting a trend of considering shorter pieces tailored for the download generation? If so, it will be like going back to the 78 era! Looking forward, then, to future BaL's on Flight of the Bumblebee and Chopin's Minute Waltz.

?? Steady on. Poor old BAL can't win! This is new to BAL (I think?), and an interesting work we have not had before, and NOT short.

[Petrushka]

?? Steady on. Poor old BAL can't win! This is new to BAL (I think?), and an interesting work we have not had before, and NOT short.

I was speaking in jest. The trend, if there is one, might be more to shorter works that are either used as fillers or short in the sense that they are part of a larger collection. I've actually got no problem with BaL considering individual overtures, symphonic poems or the like as it will give the reviewer more chance of providing a good number of examples. It's also a good chance, as you point out, to consider pieces never given the BaL treatment.

[Pulcinella]

I've often wondered why some of Mozart's works have more than one K number without bothering to look it up. It's because they were written in multiple parts. The Kochel catalogue is in date order and, in the case of the Sonata No 15, the Rondeau finale was written first (K494). Mozart added the other movements later to the existing finale (K533).

Thanks!

[silvestrione]

I was speaking in jest. The trend, if there is one, might be more to shorter works that are either used as fillers or short in the sense that they are part of a larger collection. I've actually got no problem with BaL considering individual overtures, symphonic poems or the like as it will give the reviewer more chance of providing a good number of examples. It's also a good chance, as you point out, to consider pieces never given the BaL treatment.

Sorry, yes, should have picked up the tone...