Mozart's Adagio in B minor

[goldentone]

Alfred Brendel said that Mozart's Adagio in B minor, KV 540, is the greatest piece in all the piano literature.  When I read that, I knew it had to be good, and I got out my Brendel Mozart CD and listened to it.  I like it very much.  I would like to know your thoughts about this piece, and of Brendel's claim.

[cloches_de_geneve]

It's hard to say something about Brendel's claim unless knowing a bit more about WHY he thinks it is the best piano piece ever written.

To be sure, I think KV 540 is amazing too, but I can think of multiple other pieces that could compete with it (not least by Mozart himself).

[kitty on the keys]

I have heard the same thing about Brendel. I have always enoyed this piece--hauntingly beautiful. I choose  where I play it, if they are not comfortable with classical music, might not be a good choice--since it is rather long---and if you do the repeats. But when played well--people love it. I adore the Rondo in a minor even more.
   If you are learning this for the first time----record yourself---alot. You want to make sure your rhythm has pulse---direction---and your line sings and is phrased very well. Too slow a tempo---and you lose the line.

Kitty on the keys

[mousekowski]

Its one of Mozart's most overtly emotional pieces. I particularly like the coda where it suddenly changes from B minor to B major. It's as if a happy thought comes into Mozart's mind.

[goldentone]

It's hard to say something about Brendel's claim unless knowing a bit more about WHY he thinks it is the best piano piece ever written.

I can't remember where I read it, but it was just a week or so ago.  But I think that was about all that was said.

I have heard the same thing about Brendel. I have always enoyed this piece--hauntingly beautiful. I choose  where I play it, if they are not comfortable with classical music, might not be a good choice--since it is rather long---and if you do the repeats. But when played well--people love it. I adore the Rondo in a minor even more.
   If you are learning this for the first time----record yourself---alot. You want to make sure your rhythm has pulse---direction---and your line sings and is phrased very well. Too slow a tempo---and you lose the line.

Kitty on the keys

Thanks for the playing advice, Kitty.  Yes, I want to learn the piece sometime.  I will put it on my Rep list.  I listened to the Rondo in A minor last night, and I like it too.  Mozart's music sounds as if he dictated it from nature.

[minor9th]

It may be Mozart's greatest work, but certainly not the greatest work in the repertoire. Every era has its own monuments--it would be impossible to select a single greatest piece.