Described by the composer himself as ‘the king of instruments’, the organ and its music form a small but not insignificant part of Mozart’s vast œuvre. This new release, performed by acclaimed Italian organist Ivan Ronda, comprises all of his major works for the instrument, including the extended Adagio and Rondo in C minor and the small-scale works from the London Sketchbook. Also included is the charming Adagio in C for the glass harmonica: just 28 bars in length, the work was originally conceived for this curious instrument, which consists of glass bowls that rotate in water, but is equally effective on the organ. Mozart’s output of Church Sonatas – notable for their single movement form – are represented here by the Sonata in C K336, the only one to have a proper solo part for the organ, and was specially transcribed by André Isoir for this recording.
The disc is rounded off with the imposing Fantasia in F minor. Described in Mozart’s own catalogue of work as ‘an organ piece for a clock’, it was commissioned by Count Joseph Deym for a musical automaton that contained a small pipe organ. When transferred to an organ on the scale of that at the Church of Maria Vergine Immacolata in Gallo Cavour, Italy, where this recording was made, it takes on a certain grandeur, and exploits the various echo and dialogue effects of the instrument.
00:00:00 Suite in C Major, K. 399: I. Overture
00:05:00 Andante in F Major, K. 616
00:12:41 Adagio and Allegro in F Minor, K. 594
00:25:10 Adagio in C Major, K. 356
00:29:23 Church Sonata in C Major, K. 336
00:34:28 Piece in F Major, K. 33b
00:35:57 The London Sketchbook: Rondo in F Major, K. 15hh
00:37:23 The London Sketchbook: Allegro in F Major, K. 15a
00:38:39 The London Sketchbook: Rondo in D Major, K. 15d
