Mozart: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 2 & Vol. 3

Album review

On this recording Orli Shaham presents the second instalment in her complete recording of Mozart piano sonatas. Orli Shaham is a musical polymath: an internationally renowned concert pianist who performs an astonishingly wide range of repertoire; a deft programmer in recitals and as artistic director and host of Pacific Symphony’s chamber music series in California; a dedicated teacher on faculty at The Juilliard School; a noted radio broadcaster known for her sharp wit and keen intellect; and founder and artistic director of Bach Yard, an interactive concert series for young children.

The first volume in Orli Shaham’s complete recording of Mozart’s piano sonatas received wide critical acclaim, with journalists praising Shaham as “an intelligent and sensitive guide” whose “subtle manipulation of timing conveys a strong sense of Mozart’s puckish and quick-witted compositional approach”.

In this second set, Orli Shaham performs the ever popular Sonata, K. 331, with its famous Rondo alla turca; one of the most technically demanding piano works by Mozart: the Sonata in D major, K. 576; and the Sonata in A minor, K. 310, a work with enormous emotional depth.

Recorded in Ms. Shaham’s favorite venue, Mechanics Hall in Worcester, Massachusetts, this double album comes complete with comprehensive booklet annotations that put the voice of the performer front and center, giving the listener valuable first-hand insights into Shaham’s artistry, musicality and interpretation. The annotations take the form of a conversation between Orli Shaham and noted music critic Andrew Stewart. The two dive deeply into each sonata, discussing events and circumstances relevant to the pieces’ composition and content. Far from an academic exercise, this engagement with history infuses Shaham’s interpretations with a spirit of vitality and expressiveness. In Orli Shaham's words, “living with Mozart’s sonatas and getting close to them over time has been a joy and a privilege. They give so many insights into Mozart’s mind, his personality, his soul, and reveal fresh things about the music and what it means every time I play or listen to them".

In her performances, Ms. Shaham revels in these connections, embracing the moment and capturing the mood of the music. The recording studio environment allowed her to push the boundaries of interpretation, and “go all out” with each successive take. © Canary Classics