Piano Concerto No. 9 in E flat major ("Jeunehomme," "Jenamy"), K. 271
Piano Concerto No. 19 in F major, K. 459
Variations (9) on a minuet by Duport for piano in D major, K. 573
The life of pianist Clara Haskil was one of the most difficult and tumultuous of any artist of her generation. She was something of a recluse, persecuted by the Nazis and plagued by debilitating illnesses. It's remarkable that any joy could emanate from such an arduous life, but listening to this CD shows us that sometimes through great suffering comes great beauty. Earlier in her career, Haskil championed a broad scope of repertoire but became increasingly focused on the works of Mozart. This album features the concertos K ...
Read More
The life of pianist Clara Haskil was one of the most difficult and tumultuous of any artist of her generation. She was something of a recluse, persecuted by the Nazis and plagued by debilitating illnesses. It's remarkable that any joy could emanate from such an arduous life, but listening to this CD shows us that sometimes through great suffering comes great beauty. Earlier in her career, Haskil championed a broad scope of repertoire but became increasingly focused on the works of Mozart. This album features the concertos K. 271 and K. 459, as well as the little-performed Variations on a Duport Minuet, K. 573. It's no wonder that Haskil turned her attention to Mozart as it is with his music that her introspection and finesse reach their zenith. Her playing is remarkably elegant, nuanced, and detailed -- a much more elegant sound than many of her contemporaries produced. Regrettably, the orchestra with which she is playing does not perform with the same level of sophistication. The sound is sometimes...
Read Less