Mozart: Adagio in B Minor, K. 540 | Grigory Sokolov

What do Purcell and Mozart have in common – the grounds, tunes, and dances of the English Baroque composer and the piano works from the Viennese Classical period? A lot, when played by Grigory Sokolov.

His annual spring tours have become pilgrimages for his devoted followers. He dedicated the entire 2022/23 season to Purcell and Mozart (supplemented by five encores), and in this live album wonderfully unites Purcell’s grounds (ground bass lines), tunes and dances with Mozart’s piano works from the Viennesse Classical period, revealing their shared streaks of charm and melancholy.

The press was rapturous: “Sokolov treats every note as a precious jewel, transporting his listeners to another time while remaining timeless (Vienna, Der Standard). “Unfailingly enthralling” (Munich, Süddeutsche Zeitung); “His touch: exquisite, concentrated, sparkling, luminous” (Berlin, rbb online); “This colossal artist who never ceases to astonish” (Madrid, Scherzo).

The first half of the album presents a live recording of Sokolov’s recital at the Santander International Festival on 18 August 2023, where he played music by Henry Purcell. The second half of the program was recorded two days earlier in San Sebastián at the Quincena Music festival and consists of two works by Mozart.

Grigory Sokolov - Mozart: Adagio in B Minor, K. 540