Yekwon Sunwoo - Mozart (2020) [Hi-Res/MP3]

Though more often associated with the names of Romantic composers – Chopin, Schumann and Schubert, for example – pianist Sunwoo Yekwon hopes to share the Mozart side of himself through a new album.

Concert pianist Sunwoo Yekwon, 31, who rose to global stardom three years ago winning the gold medal at the 15th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, has released his first studio album under the Decca label. The 19-track album was recorded this summer in Neumarkt, Germany.

Simply titled “Mozart,” the album consists of piano sonatas Nos. 8 and 10, Adagio for Glass Harmonica in C major, K. 356/617a, Fantasia in C minor, K. 475 and D minor, K. 397 and Rondo in A minor, K. 511, all composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791).

“I know that I haven’t mentioned Mozart often in my interviews or at official events,” Sunwoo said at a press event Tuesday in southern Seoul. “Mozart is a composer whom I have always loved. It is true I had not thought of him for recordings. But these days, I feel closer to him.”

“Mozart piano sonatas have aria-like aspects. Though a pianist, I tried to imagine opera singers and stage directing, imitating the sounds of a string instrument,” the Berlin-based artist said, further mentioning that his favorite Mozart opera is “Don Giovanni.”

The album consists of two CDs. Sunwoo explained one may be more appropriate for daytime and the other for nighttime listening. The album comes with a score copy of Rondo in A minor, K. 511, with handwritten notes by Sunwoo.

Tracklist
01. Piano Sonata No. 10 in C major, K. 330: I. Allegro moderato
02. Piano Sonata No. 10 in C major, K. 330: II. Andante cantabile
03. Piano Sonata No. 10 in C major, K. 330: III. Allegretto
04. Piano Sonata No. 13 in B-Flat Major , K. 333: I. Allegro
05. Piano Sonata No. 13 in B-Flat Major , K. 333: II. Andante cantabile
06. Piano Sonata No. 13 in B-Flat Major , K. 333: III. Allegretto grazioso
07. Piano Sonata No. 11 in A major, K. 331: I. Tem
08. Piano Sonata No. 11 in A major, K. 331: II. Menuetto
09. Piano Sonata No. 11 in A major, K. 331: III. Alla Turca. Allegretto
10. Piano Sonata No. 11 in A major, K. 331: Mozart: Adagio in C Major, K. 356/617a
11. Piano Sonata No. 11 in A major, K. 331: Mozart: Fantasia in C Minor, K. 475
12. Piano Sonata No. 16 in C Major, K. 545 "Sonata facile": I. Allegro
13. Piano Sonata No. 16 in C Major, K. 545 "Sonata facile": II. Andante
14. Piano Sonata No. 16 in C Major, K. 545 "Sonata facile": III. Rondo. Allegro
15. Piano Sonata No. 16 in C Major, K. 545 "Sonata facile": Mozart: Fantasia in D Minor, K. 397
16. Piano Sonata No. 8 in A minor, K. 310: I. Allegro maestoso
17. Piano Sonata No. 8 in A minor, K. 310: II. Andante cantabile con espressione
18. Piano Sonata No. 8 in A minor, K. 310: III. Presto
19. Piano Sonata No. 8 in A minor, K. 310: Mozart: Rondo in A Minor, K. 511
20. Piano Sonata No. 8 in A minor, K. 310: Volodos: Concert Paraphrase on 'Rondo alla Turca