The music on this recording was written between 1772 and 1782, largely during Mozart’s difficult time in Salzburg employed as Konzertmeister under the regime of Prince-Archbishop Colloredo. Transcribed for keyboard from orchestral originals by Mozart himself, these dances were composed as part of his court duties and they reflect both the tastes of the day, and Mozart’s facility in refining popular genres into stylish pieces with his typical grace and panache. As an exception, the March no.1 in C major was mentioned by Mozart’s widow Constanze as a piece ‘my husband of blessed memory composed for me’.

Young Vietnamese pianist Tung Nguyen appears here in his Naxos debut. He has performed in numerous concerts in Europe and Oregon as a soloist and collaborative pianist, and is the laureate of national and international piano competitions, notably the Young Musician International Competition ‘Città di Barletta’ in Italy, and the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Young Artist Competition spanning Oregon and the Northwest region.

Tung Nguyen has performed with major chamber groups and orchestras in Oregon, including the Eugene Symphony, Oregon Bach Collegium, Oregon Mozart Players and at the Oregon Bach Festival.