Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Complete Piano Sonatas
Mao Fujita (piano)
rec. 2021, b-sharp Studio, Berlin
SONY 19658710762 [5 CDs: 301]
For those, like myself, encountering the name Mao Fujita for the first time, here’s a little background. He was born in Tokyo and is now aged 23. 2017 was a significant year for him when he clinched First Prize at the Concours International de Piano Clara Haskil in Switzerland. He can also boast a Silver Medal at the 2019 Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. In November 2021 he signed an exclusive contract with Sony with the aim of exploring “many facets of the repertoire across several releases”. This newly-released set of Mozart’s Complete Piano Sonatas marks the start of his endeavours.
Fortunately, the performances traverse the five CDs in chronological order. I say fortunately, as this allows the listener to fully appreciate the composer’s changes and development in style as one progresses. To place some sort of context around them, Mozart composed his first piano sonata, in C major, K. 279, when he was eighteen in 1774. Over the next fifteen years he wrote another seventeen. Apart from two, No. 8 in A minor and No. 14 in C minor, all are in major keys.
Despite his young years, Fujita is fully inside these works and makes an impressive job in imparting his vision. All the ingredients for outstanding Mozart performance are here. I admire his refined approach, impeccable tempo choices, pristine fingerwork, delicacy of touch and clarity of articulation. He projects his dynamic range admirably. I'll illustrate what I mean by a closer look at two contrasting sonatas.
As a child, Fujita had been won over by Vladimir Horowitz’s performance of Mozart’s Sonata in C major K330 at his 1986 recital at the Great Hall of the Tchaikovsky Conservatory, on his much lauded Moscow return. It was a transformative moment for the young pianist; from then on he decided to become a pianist. In 2019, he himself performed that same sonata at that very same venue in the Tchaikovsky Competition, taking a silver medal. K330 is a light and sunny work, upbeat in character. In his recording, Fujita captures the optimistic mood and the music’s pervasive simplicity to perfection. The rapid runs in the first movement are pearl-like and glow with a crystalline clarity. Musical phrases are naturally shaped and bass lines are pointed, building up the architecture of the work. I like his tempo choices, too; they feel just right. The finale is carefree, and calls time in joyous manner.
The Sonata in A minor, K310 is one of only two sonatas the composer wrote in a minor key. Penned in Paris in 1778, it reflects a low point in his fortunes. In July of that year his mother died and I’ve always felt that his personal loss is reflected in the turbulence of the music. Fujita’s reading portrays darkness, emptiness and desolation. There’s sensitive handling of the sombre elements in the slow movement, yet there’s light at the end of the tunnel in the bounding Presto final movement.
I must emphasize my praise for the b-sharp Studio in Berlin where the recordings took place. The acoustic provides a richly satisfying listening experience, offering a luxurious and warmly welcoming ambience. Sony has done this young pianist proud with this beautifully packaged set of five CDs. Each of the discs is housed in a sturdier-than-usual card sleeve, each featuring a different photograph of the artist. The booklet, in English and German, discusses Fujita’s approach to the sonatas by Olivia Giovetti.
This wonderful new cycle compares favourably with my favourite traversals by Mitsuko Uchida, Ingrid Haebler and William Youn. It will certainly qualify as one of my Recordings of the Year.
Stephen Greenbank
Contents
CD 1
Sonata in C major K.279
Sonata in F major K.280
Sonata in B flat major K.281
Sonata in E flat major K.282
Sonata in G major K.283
CD 2
Sonata in D major K.284
Sonata in C major K.309
Sonata in A minor K.310
CD 3
Sonata in D major K.311
Sonata in C major K.330
Sonata in A major K.331
CD 4
Sonata in F major K.332
Sonata in B flat major K.333
Sonata in C minor K.457
CD 5
Sonata in F major K.533/494
Sonata in C major K.545
Sonata in B flat major K.570
Sonata in D major K.576
Published: November 4, 2022
