Mozart: An Introduction to His Keyboard Works: Piano Book & CD

This collection presents Mozart's keyboard works in chronological order, allowing students to trace his compositional development from child prodigy to mature master. The inclusion of period performance guidance on ornaments and historical piano construction transforms what could be a standard anthology into a resource that deepens understanding of how Mozart's music should sound and feel. Scott Price's recorded performances demonstrate the musical possibilities of each piece, serving as both inspiration and reference.

These pieces radiate the clarity and refinement of the Classical period, with singing melodic lines supported by transparent harmonic progressions. From the charming simplicity of early minuets to the architectural sophistication of the C Major Sonata, Mozart's keyboard writing invites you into a world of elegant proportion and graceful expression, where every note serves a purpose.

Intermediate to late intermediate pianists seeking to build fluency in Classical repertoire and understand Mozart's keyboard idiom across multiple genres and periods. Students preparing for recitals benefit from the variety of pieces available, from short character minuets to multi-movement sonatas. Teachers looking to introduce period-appropriate performance practice will find the historical context and ornamentation guidance particularly valuable.

• Study the opening section on Classic-era ornamentation before rehearsing; Mozart's grace notes and trills require stylistically informed interpretation rather than mechanical execution.
• Use the included CD as a listening reference before and during practice, paying attention to how Price voices the accompaniment figures and shapes phrase endings.
• Balance the melody with sensitivity to accompaniment patterns; many of these pieces feature elegant but secondary left-hand figuration that should support without overwhelming.
• Experiment with tempo flexibility within the bounds of Classical taste, especially in the Andante and Adagio movements where slight rubato can enhance expression without obscuring the formal structure.

Program single movements or complete sonatas in student recitals to demonstrate range within a single composer's output; the chronological organization allows you to create a mini-narrative arc. The shorter pieces (minuets, character dances) work well in pre-recital chamber contexts or as opening numbers before larger works. For curriculum purposes, use selections from this collection alongside corresponding periods of study in music history to connect analytical learning with performance.

• Performing ornaments and trills in historically informed style
• Voicing Alberti bass and accompanying figuration without sacrificing the primary melody
• Reading and interpreting Classical-era articulation and phrasing marks
• Understanding phrase structure and harmonic progression in multi-movement forms
• Adapting touch and pedaling to period instruments and aesthetic values