Mozart’s piano sonata KV 521 is one amazing composition. Two pianists sit at a single keyboard and they seemingly perform for each other’s pleasure. One pianist plays a theme. The partner responds; then later they play a tune simultaneously. This is joyous music; music of humor, and more…
This Sonata was in a form that Mozart had made very much made his own. His earliest duet sonata, K. 19d in C major, dates from 1765 and is the only survivor of several probably composed during his childhood years for him and his sister Nannerl to play during the tours they were taken on by their father, Leopold.
The sonata KV 521 dates from 1787, being entered by Mozart in his thematic catalog on May 29 of that year. The same day he sent a copy of it to his friend Baron Gottfried von Jacquin with a cover letter requesting that he should give it to his sister Franziska, a pupil for whom Mozart had previously composed.
This is totally astounding music and it requires performers who are equally capable. As such, listen now to Martha Argerich and Evgeny Kissin who play this for your enjoyment:
