Marius Bartoccini - Mysliveček: Complete Keyboard Works (2024)

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.

Tracklist
01. Sonata No. 1 in C Major: I. Allegro con Spirito
02. Sonata No. 1 in C Major: II. Minuetto
03. Sonata No. 2 in G Major: I. Andantino
04. Sonata No. 2 in G Major: II. Minuetto
05. Sonata No. 3 in B Major: I. Vivace
06. Sonata No. 3 in B Major: II. Rondò. Andantino
07. Sonata No. 4 in F Major: I. Allegro con Spirito
08. Sonata No. 4 in F Major: II. Allegro
09. Sonata No. 5 in A Major: I. Allegro
10. Sonata No. 5 in A Major: II. Minué
11. Sonata No. 6 in G Major: I. Allegro con Brio
12. Sonata No. 6 in G Major: II. Minuetto
13. Sonata No. 6 in G Major: III. Variazione 1
14. Sonata No. 6 in G Major: IV. Variazione 2
15. Sonata No. 6 in G Major: V. Variazione 3
16. Sonata No. 6 in G Major: VI. Variazione 4
17. Sonata No. 6 in G Major: VII. Variazione 5
18. Sonata No. 6 in G Major: VIII. Variazione 6
19. 6 Divertimenti: I. Rondò. Andantino
20. 6 Divertimenti: II. Allegretto non troppo Presto
21. 6 Divertimenti: III. Menuet
22. 6 Divertimenti: IV. Rondeaux. Andantino
23. 6 Divertimenti: V. Rondò. Allegretto
24. 6 Divertimenti: VI. Rondeaux. Andantino
25. Octet No. 2 in E-Flat Major: I. Allegro Maestoso
26. Octet No. 2 in E-Flat Major: II. Larghetto un poco Sostenuto
27. Octet No. 2 in E-Flat Major: III. Tempo di Minuetto
28. Octet No. 2 in E-Flat Major: IV. Primo Alternativo
29. Octet No. 2 in E-Flat Major: V. Secondo Alternativo
30. Octet No. 2 in E-Flat Major: VI. Terzo Alternativo
31. Octet No. 3 in E-Flat Major: I. Allegro Spiritoso
32. Octet No. 3 in E-Flat Major: II. Largo Sottovoce
33. Octet No. 3 in E-Flat Major: III. Rondò. Allegretto