Klaviersonaten = Piano Sonatas = Sonates Pour Piano · K.281, K.310 / 6 Paisiello-Variationen, K. 398 / Fantasie D-moll = In D Minor = En Ré Mineur · K. 397

Released by Deutsche Grammophon in 1970, this recording captures Soviet pianist Emil Gilels at the height of his interpretive powers. The album serves as a definitive look at Mozart’s keyboard works, pairing the intense, dramatic K. 310 sonata with the more playful K. 281 and the introspective Fantasie in D minor. During this period, Gilels was renowned for his technical precision and his ability to balance intellectual rigor with emotional depth, making this collection a standard-bearer for mid-20th-century Mozart interpretations.

The album reflects Deutsche Grammophon’s commitment to high-fidelity production during the golden era of vinyl. Designed with the label’s signature clean aesthetic, the sleeve emphasizes the seriousness of the repertoire while positioning Gilels as a preeminent master of the classical canon. Upon release, the recording was met with significant critical acclaim, frequently cited for its clarity, nuance, and the seamless transition between the technical demands of the sonatas and the improvisational nature of the variations and fantasy.