Mozart: Sechs Variationen in F-Dur über die Arie 'Salve tu, Domine' aus der Oper I filosofi immaginarii (Giovanni Paisiello) K398 (416e)

On this recording Siegbert Rampe once again demonstrates his whole vast mastery on various historical instruments. Here he employs two harpsichords, incuding an original by Burkat Shudi from 1771, a fortepiano and two clavichords.

Built in 1777, the Stein ‘Vis-à-vis’ is a glorious monster, half harpsichord, half fortepiano, with keyboards at both ends and a tonal range unsurpassed in the century that saw plectra cede to hammers. Brilliantly percussive, it is a veritable fun-fair for four hands.

Most often, when it comes to Mozart’s works for piano, one forgets that, like Chopin and Liszt, Mozart was a great piano virtuoso. In his lifetime, his fame is due to a large extend to his gift to interpret. Indeed, he wrote a certain number of cycles of variations which bring out both the talent of the composer and that of the performer.

Composed in Paris, the 11th sonata in A major K.331 begins with a slow movement.

The Minuet and its Trio seem very close to a theme by Gluck and the last famous movement Alla Turca: Allegretto which is known for the French as the Marche Turque comes from the overture of the Pélerins de La Mecque by Gluck.

The Six Variations in F major on “Salve tu Domine” are the notation of improvisations given by Mozart on the 23rd March, 1783, in front of Joseph II. On this very day, Mozart was improvising the Ten Variations on the “Pélerins de La Mecque” from an opera of the same by Gluck. However, Mozart finishes them one year later.

The Twelve Variations on an allegretto were finished on the 12th September, 1786.

Mozart’s variations for the piano stand between two brillant successes, over a century apart, the variations Goldberg by Johann Sebastian and the variations Diabelli by Beethoven.

Gottlieb Wallisch, who has captivated audiences from many of the world’s major concert platforms, impressed the critics with his superb interpretations of Mozart’s Viennese repertoire.

This, his second solo album on Linn, further explores Mozart’s rich piano repertoire of works associated with Paris and Vienna, many of which raised the standard for technical virtuosity.

Gottlieb displays a profound understanding of the music of his fellow Austrian, as well as his impressive technical and interpretative skills.

Born into a family of Viennese musicians, Gottlieb Wallisch is a competition prizewinner and a respected artist in the Viennese piano tradition.

Gottlieb Wallisch has performed with many leading orchestras including the Vienna Philharmonic, the Vienna Symphony, the Stuttgart Chamber and the Zagreb Philharmonic.

Gottlieb participated in the international cycle "Rising Stars" and gave solo recitals in Musikverein Vienna, Konzerthus-Stockholm, Societé Philharmonique in Brussels, the Athens Concert Hall and the Carnegie Hall, New York. Numerous concert tours have also led him to Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Spain, Germany and Switzerland.

The Austrian ORF, Radio France International and BBC London have recorded numerous radio and television performances with him.