Piano Sonata in F Major, No. 2, K.280
Piano Sonata in C Major, No. 1, K.279
Piano Sonata in D Major, No. 6, K.284, "Dürnitz"

On this recording, Volume 4 of her complete overview of Mozart's Piano Sonatas, pianist Orli Shaham turns her attention to some of the composer's earliest creations in the form, written when he was still in his teens. The booklet notes ascribe them the role of "calling cards" that Wolfgang and his father would use, during their many musical tours, to attract future supporters and benefactors. For early works they certainly are innovative and clever.

Once again, Orli Shaham performs these with exacting expressivity and avoids the presumptuous inclination to impose on them a juvenile daintiness which so many other pianists fall victim to. As a matter of fact there's an assured robustness to her interpretation of the opening movement of the F Major, and the final movement of the C Major. And she instills a noble character and allure to all of the inner slow movements. Her approach always sounds free of frivolous mannerisms and gestures.

The more I listen to this cycle the more I feel the inclination to dust off my old Mozart music books and learn to play some of these all over again.