Mozart by Arrangement, Volume Two
The violinist and conductor Andrew Manze recently remarked that the six violin sonatas published as Mozart's Op. 2 in 1781 might also be effective as sonatas for piano duet. The Australian composer Stephen Yates has taken him up on the idea, adding six sparkling new two-piano sonatas to the single original one that Mozart himself produced.
Phillip Shovk, piano
Daniel Herscovitch, piano
Listen To This Recording:
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Sonata in F major, K376 (1781)
- I. Allegro
- II. Andante
- III. Rondeau. Allegro grazioso
- I. Allegro moderato
- II. Andantino sostenuto e cantabile
- III. Rondeau. Allegro
- I. Allegro
- II. Andante con moto
- III. Rondeau
Sonata in B flat major, K378 (1780)
Sonata in E flat major, K380 (1781)
Fanfare Magazine :
‘This is a collection of three of Mozart’s sonatas for violin and piano: the sonatas in F, K 376; in B♭, K 378; and in E♭, K 380. These transcriptions by British composer Stephen Yates were inspired by none other than one of the world’s foremost interpreters of the original works, violinist Andrew Manze, who suggested that the violin music could effectively be reimagined as piano music. …Instead of Mozart’s delicate balance of the piano and violin, measured for exacting dramatic effect … we get a remarkable lushness, with the imaginative harmonic construction easy to hear. The trade-off is a loss of theatrical incisiveness, but this is a more than interesting way to experience this music. It would all be for naught, save for the excellent precision and verve of Herscovitch and Shovk. Here is yet another enchanting and novel release from Toccata Classics, an indispensible label for all true piano lovers.’
—Peter Burwasser, Fanfare Magazine, November/December 2014