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Track Listings
| Disc: 1 | |||
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| 1. 1. Allegro | |||
| 2. 2. Andante | |||
| 3. 3. Allegro | |||
| 4. 1. Allegro assai | |||
See all 15 tracks on this disc
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| Disc: 2 | |||
| 1. 1. Allegro | |||
| 2. 2. Rondeau en Polonaise (Andante) | |||
| 3. 3. Tema con variazione | |||
| 4. 1. Allegro con spirito | |||
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See all 9 tracks on this disc
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| Disc: 3 | |||
| 1. 1. Allegro con spirito | |||
| 2. 2. Andantino con espressione | |||
| 3. 3. Rondeau (Allegro) | |||
| 4. 1. Allegro moderato | |||
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See all 9 tracks on this disc
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| Disc: 4 | |||
| 1. 1. Allegro | |||
| 2. 2. Adagio | |||
| 3. 3. Allegro assai | |||
| 4. 1. Allegro | |||
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See all 10 tracks on this disc
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| Disc: 5 | |||
| 1. 1. Allegro | |||
| 2. 2. Andante | |||
| 3. 3. Rondo (Allegro) | |||
| 4. 1. Allegro | |||
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See all 12 tracks on this disc
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
57 of 60 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Opinion is divided here about this set, and I'd like to weigh in heavily on the favourable side. I love Uchida's Mozart sonatas. She is to me, with the possible exception of Murray Perahia, the greatest Mozart pianist of our age.
Some people have found Uchida's playing lacking in emotion, but this is music from the Classical era, between the contrapuntal complexities of the Baroque and the sweeping emotion of the Romantic, and one of its defining characteristics is its form or structure. There is plenty of feeling throughout the set - simple joy in the opening Allegro of K545, or lambent beauty in the Adagio cantabile of K333, for example - but it is expressed through carefully crafted form as well as inspired melodic themes and wonderful harmonic creativity and these shine through under Uchida's fingers. There are no sweeping gestures or great gushing outbursts, but for me Mozart's fabulous music comes straight from her heart and goes straight to mine.
Often in a dramatic performance by an actor restraint and control are far more effective in conveying deep feeling than a lot of roaring and gesticulating. Similarly here, where Uchida respects the music's inner structures and lets it speak for itself while obviously loving and feeling it. Consider her playing in the opening Allegro moderato of K330; no flashy tricks or overblown look-how-intensely-I'm-feeling-this techniques, but a lovely, lovely tone, immaculate technique and a wholly involving, beautiful delicacy which brings it completely alive. I couldn't ask for more.
This is the definitive Mozart set for me, and I don't say that lightly given the quality of the competition. It's worth saying, too, that at fifteen quid for all five CDs, it's an absolute snip. (Some of us paid an awful lot more in the dim and distant past, and still thought it excellent value). I cannot commend this set too highly. Pure treasure.
Some people have found Uchida's playing lacking in emotion, but this is music from the Classical era, between the contrapuntal complexities of the Baroque and the sweeping emotion of the Romantic, and one of its defining characteristics is its form or structure. There is plenty of feeling throughout the set - simple joy in the opening Allegro of K545, or lambent beauty in the Adagio cantabile of K333, for example - but it is expressed through carefully crafted form as well as inspired melodic themes and wonderful harmonic creativity and these shine through under Uchida's fingers. There are no sweeping gestures or great gushing outbursts, but for me Mozart's fabulous music comes straight from her heart and goes straight to mine.
Often in a dramatic performance by an actor restraint and control are far more effective in conveying deep feeling than a lot of roaring and gesticulating. Similarly here, where Uchida respects the music's inner structures and lets it speak for itself while obviously loving and feeling it. Consider her playing in the opening Allegro moderato of K330; no flashy tricks or overblown look-how-intensely-I'm-feeling-this techniques, but a lovely, lovely tone, immaculate technique and a wholly involving, beautiful delicacy which brings it completely alive. I couldn't ask for more.
This is the definitive Mozart set for me, and I don't say that lightly given the quality of the competition. It's worth saying, too, that at fifteen quid for all five CDs, it's an absolute snip. (Some of us paid an awful lot more in the dim and distant past, and still thought it excellent value). I cannot commend this set too highly. Pure treasure.
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The effect of these interpretations is one of precision, clarity and luminosity; i.e. Musical Classicism. It's true that they may seem a bit emotionally restrained (that's what classical restraint is all about however), too symmetrical in feeling and perhaps too personalised in their choice of tempi or touch, but the effect is very beautiful and refined. The interpretation is very classical without late Baroque, Rococo, or Romantic influences. Perhaps this is not 100% historically or musically accurate, but overall taken within their own context as one artist's interpretation of Mozart, I like the view. Other pianists have other views. I definitely do not think that Maria Pires for Brilliant is on the same level as these interpretations, as one review has suggested, nor is Alicia della Roccia technically at the level of Uchida either, although she does convey another type of feeling and view which is perhaps a more feminine and romantic view. It's a matter of taste and expectation. I think Uchida does gives you an insight into these pieces that is very personal yet very classical at the same time with great detail and which conveys great musical delight and playfulness as well.
18 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Uchida's interpretation of the sonatas is insightful and, where appropriate, very moving. In my opinion this is a "must have" box set for anyone wanting to have all of the sonatas in one collection. On the point of the music itself, I used to overlook Mozart's solo piano music in favour of his concerti and the Operas. So, when I bought this set I was amazed how much invention there is in these often intimate works. The famous one is the A major with the Rondo "alla turca", but for me the best one is the No.8 sonata (A minor). It looks forward to the Romantic period with its melancholic air and surely an influence on the young Beethoven when he would have studied the sonatas, and then went on to produce some of his best works on the keyboard.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
There is not a damn bit of nonsense about this set!
I think the Mozart's Sonatas are too often neglected and forgotten in favour of the Concertos, and dismissed as learning pieces. Read more
Published 3 days ago by D. J. Mortimer
Cold, lacks feeling
I bought this and looked forward to hours of enjoyeous listening.
Not so.
I find the recording or mastering destructive to the music. Read more
Not so.
I find the recording or mastering destructive to the music. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Esben L. Kristensen
Classical clarity and deep understanding
First of all - Mozart isn't Liszt. These sonatas are not the place for emotional extremes and strong feelings on big banners. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Per Arne Rudberg
Mozart complete piano sonatas: Schiff, Uchida or Eschenbach?
These are just few comparative comments on three sets of Mozart complete piano sonatas: Schiff (Decca), Uchida (Philips), Eschenbach (Deutsch Grammophon). Read more
Published 12 months ago by A. Zona
Mostly very enjoyable
Like my fellow four star reviewer I really enjoyed most of this set - nine of Uchida's performances are really top notch. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Malcolm Black
Exquisite
This is one of the purest, most beautiful piano performances I have ever heard. You have not heard the real Mozart at the keyboard until you have heard this collection. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Mr. N. R. Birkhead
Crisp and sympathetic playing
Mitsuko Uchida plays the Mozart sonatas with a clarity of sound, and a delicacy of touch which is her hallmark. She can also sound suitably muscular when the music demands it! Read more
Published 15 months ago by A. Dracup
excellent piano sonata recordings
There is no doubt that Mitsuko Uchida is one of the leading Mozart pianists. And that fact alone gives this release credibility. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Ms. M. Potter
The Piano Sonatas
The world's greatest exponent of 18th century piano music, the Japanese pianist Mitsuko Uchida, plays ALL of Mozart's piano sonatas. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Mrs. D. Guest
Perfect technique completely in the service of MUSIC
The written word isn't a natural medium for me, nor is the English language. Anyway I feel it's important to weigh up against the unfavourable ratings for these recordings. Read more
Published on 20 Nov 2008 by Micke
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