Piano Sonatas K545 & K570 / Fantasie K475 ∙ Rondos K485 & K511

Released in 1992 under the L'Oiseau-Lyre imprint, this recording features the Hungarian-British pianist András Schiff performing a selection of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s late-18th-century piano works. The repertoire reflects Mozart’s transition toward deeper emotional complexity in his solo keyboard music, particularly through the inclusion of the Fantasia in C minor, K. 475. This album is part of a broader, critically acclaimed project by Schiff to record the complete cycle of Mozart's piano sonatas on a period-appropriate fortepiano, aiming for a transparent, historically informed soundscape.

The production sought to capture the nuance of Mozart’s articulation and phrasing by utilizing a 1788 Franz Brodmann fortepiano, providing a lighter, more percussive clarity than the modern grand piano. András Schiff, known for his rigorous dedication to structural integrity and contrapuntal balance, was praised by critics for his refusal to sentimentalize the material, opting instead for a crisp, objective interpretation that emphasizes the wit and structural architecture inherent in Mozart’s writing. The release was widely regarded as a significant contribution to the historically informed performance practice movement that gained momentum in the late 20th century.