Clare Hammond - Mysliveček: Complete Music for Keyboard (2019) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

Born in Prague in 1737, Josef Mysliveček spent most of his short life in Italy, where for a while he enjoyed success with his many operas, and became known as ‘Il Boemo’ (‘The Bohemian’). It was also in Italy – in Bologna – that he first met Mozart, in 1770. Their paths would cross again and in letters Mozart wrote about him with affection, describing him as full of ‘fire, spirit and life’. Mysliveček’s influence is apparent in Mozart’s early operas, violin concertos, symphonies and keyboard music. His music soon fell out of fashion, however, and it is only recent decades that have seen more interest in works such as the wind octets, violin concertos and symphonies. In comparison, Mysliveček’s output for keyboard has been somewhat neglected, something which the English pianist Clare Hammond seeks to rectify with her latest disc. The keyboard concertos in particular have barely seen the light of day since Mysliveček’s death and the second concerto is recorded for the first time on this disc which gathers all of the extant keyboard works. Clare Hammond, whose imaginative recording projects on BIS have received international acclaim, is here supported in the concertos by the Swedish Chamber Orchestra, conducted by no one less than Nicholas McGegan, whose expertise in 18th-century style is undisputed.

Tracklist:
1. Keyboard Concerto No. 1 in B-Flat Major: I. Allegro comodo 04:39
2. Keyboard Concerto No. 1 in B-Flat Major: II. Andantino 02:46
3. Keyboard Concerto No. 1 in B-Flat Major: III. Rondo. Allegro 02:26
4. 6 Easy Divertimentos: No. 1 in F Major: Andantino 01:55
5. 6 Easy Divertimentos: No. 2 in A Major: Allegro ma non troppo 02:29
6. 6 Easy Divertimentos: No. 3 in D Major: Minuetto 02:32
7. 6 Easy Divertimentos: No. 4 in B-Flat Major: Andantino 02:54
8. 6 Easy Divertimentos: No. 5 in G Major: Andante 03:12
9. 6 Easy Divertimentos: No. 6 in C Major: Andantino 02:49
10. Keyboard Concerto No. 2 in F Major: I. Allegro con spirito 05:39
11. Keyboard Concerto No. 2 in F Major: II. Larghetto 03:48
12. Keyboard Concerto No. 2 in F Major: III. Tempo di minuetto 04:23
13. Sonata No. 1 in C Major from "6 Easy Lessons": I. Allegro con spirito 03:03
14. Sonata No. 1 in C Major from "6 Easy Lessons": II. Minuetto - Minore - Minuetto 03:44
15. Sonata No. 2 in B-Flat Major from "6 Easy Lessons": I. Allegro 03:03
16. Sonata No. 2 in B-Flat Major from "6 Easy Lessons": II. Rondo. Andantino 01:40
17. Sonata No. 3 in A Major from "6 Easy Lessons": I. Allegro 03:02
18. Sonata No. 3 in A Major from "6 Easy Lessons": II. Minuetto - Minore - Minuetto 03:27
19. Sonata No. 4 in G Major from "6 Easy Lessons": I. Andantino 02:11
20. Sonata No. 4 in G Major from "6 Easy Lessons" II. Minuetto - Trio - Minuetto 03:20
21. Sonata No. 5 in F Major from "6 Easy Lessons": I, — 02:55
22. Sonata No. 5 in F Major from "6 Easy Lessons": II. Presto 01:42
23. Sonata No. 6 in D Major from "6 Easy Lessons": I. Allegro con brio 03:23
24. Sonata No. 6 in D Major from "6 Easy Lessons": II. Minuetto with 6 Variations 03:20

Personnel:
Clare Hammond, piano
Swedish Chamber Orchestra
Nicholas McGegan, conductor