The new focus on Bohemian classicism in the second half of the 18th century, manifested in recent recordings and articles in professional journals, has amply demonstrated the calibre of these composers and the quality of their music. Among them, Josef Mysliveček enjoyed considerable fame during his lifetime. He was known to such important figures as the soprano Caterina Gabrielli and was a friend of Mozart’s, who esteemed him.
Mysliveček’s like many of his contemporaries strove for musical success and economic independence through opera composition, a career that was high-profile but also challenging in the late 18th century. And he did not consider the fortepiano to be as important a vehicle of expression, unlike Mozart, as can be seen in his meagre solo keyboard output.
The Six Divertimenti are single-movement compositions, and while probably intended as didactic, they are not sterile exercises for amateurs but exquisite pieces that satisfy the most discerning palates. The Six Sonatas are short but brilliant pieces, based on the galant style transmuted into a pre-classicism very akin to the Mannheim school, with energetic first movements with a symphonic flavour alternating with elegant and delicate minuets.
Given the small number of Mysliveček’s compositions for solo fortepiano, it was decided to include two additional, rare pieces worthy of this monograph: two of his Wind Octets Op.1 in a contemporary solo keyboard transcription by Václav Vincenc Mašek. Mysliveček’s writing features remarkable counterpoint, compressed by Mašek into an exemplary arrangement.
This recording is intended as the first on historical instruments (there is already a box by Clare Hammond on modern piano with the Divertimenti for fortepiano, the six Sonatas and the Concertos for fortepiano and orchestra). The arranged Octets (most likely never previously performed, let alone recorded) are offered as world premieres.
- The son of a mill owner, Josef Mysliveček (1737-1781) was born in Prague. After a brief period as a student of literature and philosophy, he started to study organ with Joseph Seger and composition with the renowned František Václav Habermann. After his success with his first symphonies he decided to go to Venice to study voice and composition with Giovanni Battista Pescetti, not only to perfect himself as a musician but probably also to integrate himself into the great operatic tradition of one of the most productive and lively cities of the time. Mysliveček’s first opera Medea was a huge success and soon he became the first internationally renowned Bohemian opera composer. During a stay with Padre Martini, he met Mozart in Bologna, who was greatly fascinated by the Bohemian's musical qualities.
- This 3-CD set presents the complete works for keyboard: two sets of six sonatas, arrangements of Mysliveček’s Octets for solo keyboard by Vincenc Václav Mašek, and of the Divertimenti for violin and keyboard.
- The music remains firmly anchored in its period, exploring all the musical potential that classicism has to offer: strong structures, refinement and charm, as well as elegant and cantabile melodies.
- Played by Marius Bartoccini, a pianist who specializes in fortepiano. As a soloist he performed with Sigiswald Kuijken en Federico Maria Sardelli. On this recording he plays an Anton Walter fortepiano made by Paul McNulty.
