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.
My publications:For much more information about how to practice piano repertoire, take a look at my two-book piano course, Play it again: PIANO (Schott). Covering a huge array of styles and genres, 49 progressive pieces from approximately Grade 1 – 8 level are featured, with at least two pages of practice tips for every piece. A convenient and beneficial course for students of any age, with or without a teacher, and it can also be used alongside piano examination syllabuses too.
You can find out more about my other piano publications and compositions 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 🙂