Orli Shaham’s New Release

Just in time for #NationalPianoMonth! Artistic Director of Pacific Symphony’s chamber series, Cafe Ludwig, and one of Opening Night’s soloists, concert pianist Orli Shaham has released two new recordings that are a part of her multi-year endeavor of recording all of Mozart’s piano sonatas.

In this two CD set, Orli Shaham performs the ever-popular Sonata K.331, including the Rondo Alla Turca; one of the most technically demanding piano works by Mozart—the Sonata in D Major, K.576; and the Sonata in A minor, K.310, a work with enormous emotional depth. Orli Shaham commented, “These sonatas give so many insights into Mozart’s mind, his personality, and his soul, and reveal fresh ideas about the music and its meaning with every hearing.” The complete list of sonatas on Volumes 2 and 3 is below.

Improvisation is a big part of Orli Shaham’s approach to this music. For months leading up to the recording sessions, she worked on sections that she felt Mozart left open to improvisation, experimenting with all kinds of ideas. The result is a great sense of spontaneity in each of the sonatas she recorded. “The act of improvisation allows you to feel some sense of what Mozart would have felt. He was a real flesh-and-bone human being, for all his genius, just like us,” she said. Critics call Shaham “an intelligent and sensitive guide” for this music. Look for her new releases on Amazon, Spotify, and at your local record store.

ORLI SHAHAM, PIANO

Mozart Piano Sonatas Vol. 2 and 3
K.282 ● K.283 ● K.310 ● K.331 ● K. 332 K.545 ● K.576

Volume 2
-Piano Sonata in A Minor, No. 9, K. 310
-Piano Sonata in F Major, No. 12, K. 332
-Piano Sonata in D Major, No. 18, K. 576

Volume 3
-Piano Sonata in C Major, “für Anfänger”, No. 16, K. 545
-Piano Sonata in E-flat Major, No. 4, K. 282
-Piano Sonata in G Major, No. 5, K. 283
-Piano Sonata in A Major, “Alla turca”, No. 11, K. 331

---