It’s always exciting when a previously undiscovered work emerges especially when composed by a world-famous master composer. So when I heard that a new piano piece by W. A. Mozart had been found, I just had to blog about it!
The attic apparently belonged to a band leader who lived ‘in the Lech Valley of the Austrian Tyrol’, and the notebook, dated 1780, had belonged to an Austrian born in 1765 named Johannes Reiserer. Reiserer sang in the Salzburg Cathedral’s Choir, which had famous musicians on the staff – including Mozart’s father leopold.
The work, Allegro Molto in C Major, is thought to have been written when the composer was about 11. The pianist who had the honour of premiering it was Florian Birsak, a specialist in historical performance practice, and the first performance took place on March 23rd 2012 at Mozart’s childhood home in Salzburg on the composer’s original piano. The Mozartian hallmarks are apparent from the very first phrase! Enjoy.
Publications
Melanie Spanswick has written and published a wide range of courses, anthologies, examination syllabuses, and text books, including Play it again: PIANO (published by Schott Music). This best-selling graded, progressive piano course contains a large selection of repertoire featuring a huge array of styles and genres, with copious practice tips and suggestions for every piece.
For more information, please visit the publications page, here.
Wow amazing, loved it and the history behind it! Only 11 years old. I know he wrote a symphony aged 8 and his first full scale Opera at 12. A true prodigy & genius (words often over used today)!
Hi Chris, So glad you liked the piece – it’s amazing what Mozart wrote at such a young age. He really was a genius. I love the work – hope it will be published so we can all play it 🙂