Description
Mozart's C minor Sonata K. 457, composed in October 1784, is traditionally associated with drama, passion, pathos, and pain. The reasons behind this "romantic" outpouring of feeling are unknown. Half a year later, Mozart composed his equally extraordinary C minor Fantasy K. 475.
Both the Sonata and Fantasy were published together in 1785, suggesting Mozart intentionally linked these two C minor works, defying convention. Until 1990, the autograph manuscripts for these pieces were lost. When they resurfaced in Philadelphia, the Henle Verlag undertook a thorough revision, as the previously known sources - the first edition and an authorized dedication copy of the Sonata - contained inaccuracies and errors. Even an "Urtext" edition can sometimes be improved upon.
