The son of a mill owner, Josef Myslivecek (1737-1781) was born in Prague. After a brief period as a student of literature and philosophy, he started to study organ with Joseph Seger and composition with the renowned Frantisek Vaclav Habermann. After his success with his first symphonies, he decided to go to Venice to study voice and composition with Giovanni Battista Pescetti, not only to perfect himself as a musician but probably also to integrate himself into the great operatic tradition of one of the most productive and lively cities of the time. Myslivecek's first opera Medea was a huge success and soon he became the first internationally renowned Bohemian opera composer. During a stay with Padre Martini, he met Mozart in Bologna, who was greatly fascinated by the Bohemian's musical qualities. This 3-CD set presents the complete works for keyboard: two sets of six sonatas, arrangements of Myslivecek's Octets for solo keyboard by Vincenc Vaclav Masek, and of the Divertimenti for violin and keyboard. The music remains firmly anchored in its period, exploring all the musical potential that classicism has to offer: strong structures, refinement and charm, as well as elegant and cantabile melodies. Played by Marius Bartoccini, a pianist who specializes in fortepiano. As a soloist he performed with Sigiswald Kuijken en Federico Maria Sardelli. On this recording he plays an Anton Walter fortepiano made by Paul McNulty.
