Classical Music | Piano Music

Recorded on 11/08/2009, uploaded on 12/23/2009

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

Left unfinished at the time of his death, the Fantasia in D minor (K. 397) is nevertheless one of Mozart's most popular works for piano. The original manuscript is not extant and the ending, as it exists today, is thought to be written by August Eberhard Müller.

The form of the Fantasia in D minor is remarkably loose, making it a perfect example of the freedom composers sometimes allow themselves. The piece opens with weighty arpeggios reminiscent of the not-too-distant Baroque era. This section serves as an introduction, establishing the key of D minor and comes to a close on a half cadence. The following Adagio forms the central portion of the work and presents two distinct musical ideas. The first is a lyrical, melancholy tune in D minor; the second, a syncopated sequential figure in A minor. The Adagio, which at least shares the thematic dichotomy of a sonata form, is twice interrupted by cadenzas marked Presto. Also closing on a half cadence in D minor, the woeful Adagio gives way to a jubilant D major Allegretto. Structured as a small binary form, the Allegretto is interrupted by one final cadenza before its principal melody returns and fortissimo chords conclude the work.     Joseph DuBose