Description
An album that shows how Leopold Mozart could have influenced his son Wolfgang Amadeus, by placing the father's most famous works around early pieces of his offspring. They are performed by the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra directed by Ton Koopman, with Tini Mathot on fortepiano.
While Die Bauernhochzeit (Peasant Wedding) and Cassatio ex ("Toy Symphony") are considered to be works by Leopold Mozart by the creators of this album, others argue the toy symphony must have been composed by Joseph Haydn or Edmund Angerer. There is little consensus within the musicological debate.
Leopold's compositions are characterised by their simplicity. He also often uses unusual instruments to create different timbres. In Die Bauernhochzeit, for example, one can hear bagpipes and musicians are instructed to clap and cheer along during the performance.
The works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart on this album are his Symphony in E flat, the Twelve Variations on 'Ah, vous dirai-je maman' and the Fugue from his Gallimathias musicum. The last was composed for the inaugeration of Willem V as the governor of the Dutch Republic. The Symphony in E flat is Mozart's first symphony. This is a nicely composed miniature work, even though it is an experiment in a new genre.
"This is an unusual compact disc. Never before has the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra performed music featuring the hurdy-gurdy, psaltery, bagpipes and toy flutes. It was enormously enjoyable making this recording. Included here is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's First Symphony, an outstanding work for a nine-year old. Contemporaries of Mozart (including Leopold) seldom reached this level of achievement, and it even took the young Mozart some time to recover it. I hope you enjoy listening to the music here!" - Ton Koopman
This recording, previously released by Challenge under the title 'From Kindersinfonie to Bauernhochzeit', is now re-issued with completely new packaging.
Personnel: Ton Koopman (organ, director), Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, Tini Mathot (fortepiano)