Charles Rosen Mozart: Piano Music 180g LP

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When listening to this album you can live the very particular acoustics of the Sala Musica "Caetani" located in the heart of the magical Giardini di Ninfa. In these tracks, pianist Charles Rosen once again demonstrates the high level of interpretation and the great culture that has made him appreciated all over the world.

Fone's Giulio Cesare Ricci in this recording wanted to make listeners appreciate the quality of the piano C. Bechstein, op.n.15664 Berlin 1884, the instrument that Franz Liszt used for his concerts in Italy. A real natural recording: the most attentive listener will be able to recognize the singing of the birds of the Giardino di Ninfa that reply to the Mozartian interpretation of the great Charles Rosen.

The recording was made at the Sala Musica "Caetani", Villa di Ninfa - Giardini di Ninfa (Latina). Giulio Cesare Ricci used the legendary microphones Neumann U47, U48. The master for Vinyl was realized by transferring the original master recorded with Nagra 4s , 15ips, 1/4 inch to Ampex ATR 102 (Electronic Tube Ampex model 351-1965), 2 tracks, 1/2 inch, 30ips, modified by David Manley. The mastering has been realized by Giulio Cesare Ricci using the Signoricci system, entirely analog and tube. The sound is obviously rich with real timbre.

The sound on this AAA recording is fantastically transparent and captures the unique timbre of the fascinating choice of instrument: an 1884 Bechstein grand piano. In fact, it is the same piano that Franz Liszt used during his final tour of Italy. Listeners accustomed to the sound of a more modern Steinway or Bosendorfer piano may find this piano a bit shocking to hear; it is much drier in tone and lacks some of the warmth and resonance in the low register that modern ears are used to hearing. The effect is something unique, and the listener is not only treated to a well rendered piano image that puts you 'in the space' with the musician, but to the sound of a historic instrument that few of us will ever get to hear in-person. This recording presents the opportunity for the listener to sit in on an intimate recital with one of the most storied artists and scholars of the 20th century. These performances of Mozart's core piano repertoire are thoughtful, graceful, and offer us something 'off the beaten path' from more mainstream recordings. The fact that we get to hear such a deeply personal performance through three-dimensional analog sound makes it a special treat for these solitary times.