Kun-Woo Paik, Mozart: Piano Works, Vol. 2 Review

by Adorjan Horvát

Kun-Woo Paik’s Mozart: Piano Works, Vol. 2 beautifully marries two seemingly distinct musical worlds: the Classical clarity of Mozart and the Romantic intensity that would flourish in the century following his death. With his deep understanding of both traditions, Paik respects Mozart’s structural clarity and formal balance while adding a subtle yet distinctly Romantic emotional resonance. His approach maintains classical precision, but the emotional layers he adds bring out a depth that feels timeless. His dynamic contrasts, broader phrasing, and expressive rubato create a heightened sense of drama, making Mozart’s music feel as though it has one foot in the Classical era and one in the Romantic.

Paik approaches the Allegro assai of Sonata in F Major, K. 280, with an energy that bridges Classical clarity and Romantic expressiveness. Traditionally, this movement is taken at a moderate tempo, emphasizing buoyancy and charm with crisp articulation and light phrasing that evokes a playful, operatic atmosphere. Paik, however, introduces a more Romantic energy with bolder dynamics and subtle tempo shifts. He explores the dramatic contrasts between themes, adding subtle articulations for emotional weight and blending Mozart’s inherent charm with an assertive passion, creating a vivid balance between Classical playfulness and Romantic flair.

In the Adagio, Paik transforms the movement from a serene, lyrical passage into an exploration of Romantic emotion. Historically, this movement is approached with a singing melodic line and understated dynamics, highlighting tenderness and creating a timeless atmosphere. Paik, however, imbues it with heightened pathos, employing deeper rubato and dramatic dynamic contrasts. The result is an intensely emotive interpretation, with each note lingering in a suspended emotional state, making this movement expressively lyrical.

The Presto finale of Sonata in F Major, K. 280, typically embodies lightness, agility, and humor, with an emphasis on articulation and precision that reflects Mozart’s playful, dance-like character. Paik’s interpretation, however, emphasizes rhythmic drive and tonal depth, resulting in an energetic and intense rendition. This finale becomes a vibrant display of almost unrestrained vitality, where Paik adds a dramatic dimension that bridges Classical charm with Romantic vigor, giving the movement a new, robust character.

In the Allegro moderato of Sonata in C Major, K. 330, Paik juxtaposes Classical elegance with Romantic intensity. Traditionally, this movement is interpreted as poised and lyrical, with a flowing, cantabile quality that evokes a conversational interplay between the hands. Paik’s approach is more impassioned, marked by a fuller tone and a broader dynamic palette that emphasizes Romantic drama. His phrasing has a Romantic flair that makes the movement feel emotionally charged, transforming the interplay into an impassioned dialogue that contrasts dramatically with more reserved Classical interpretations.

The Andante cantabile of Sonata in C Major, K. 330, is often played introspectively, with subtle dynamics and a delicate touch that highlights its contemplative beauty. Paik brings a more dramatic narrative to the Andante cantabile, transforming its introspective beauty into an emotionally expansive journey. He employs rubato and dynamic swells that add lyrical depth, suggesting Romantic longing and elevating the emotional arc. Paik’s interpretation shifts from the restrained elegance of traditional performances to a profound exploration of feeling, offering a fresh emotional perspective on Mozart’s timeless music.

In the Allegretto, Paik moves away from the lightness and precision typically used to capture Mozart’s wit and playfulness. Instead, he emphasizes rhythmic drive and adds weight to the texture, creating an extroverted and forceful interpretation. This approach gives the finale a sense of grandeur and drama, allowing the humor in Mozart’s writing to shine with added depth. Paik’s performance infuses the Allegretto with a Romantic spirit, transforming it into a movement that balances elegance with a forceful emotional drive.

Paik’s interpretation of Mozart’s works features both technical mastery and a profound emotional depth that bridges Classical precision with Romantic expressiveness. Paik exhibits exceptional technical control, ensuring every note and phrase is impeccably rendered, maintaining the precision expected in Mozart’s style. Despite his Romantic leanings, Paik respects Mozart’s classical idiom, adhering to structural clarity and formal balance. Each of the nine tracks brings out the nuances in Mozart’s writing—from subtle dynamic shifts to the intricate interplay of voices. For added depth, Paik adds his own emotional layer, infusing each movement with depth while staying true to Mozart’s classical foundations.

Paik’s tone is richer and often darker compared to more traditional interpretations, providing a Romantic gravity that contrasts with Mozart’s usual lightness. Leaning towards Romanticism, Paik adds significant drama and emotional intensity to each movement, reshaping the traditional Classical feel with his use of broader contrasts in dynamics, heightening the expressive impact, adding an emotional resonance that offers a more contemporary interpretation of Mozart’s music.

Kun-Woo Paik’s Mozart: Piano Works, Vol. 2 offers a refreshing blend of Romantic emotion within Mozart’s Classical framework. Throughout the album, Paik’s performances respect the structural clarity and formal balance characteristic of Mozart’s writing while infusing the music with a dramatic resonance that bridges two stylistic worlds. Paik’s use of dynamic contrasts, expressive rubato, and a broader tonal palette transforms Mozart’s sonatas into an enjoyable program that is emotionally charged in its narratives.

Paik’s approach is distinct from traditional interpretations while clearly conveying Mozart’s intent. He enhances the expressive possibilities already embedded in the music through a balancing of Romantic sensibility with Classical discipline. Paik invites listeners to reimagine Mozart’s sonatas as living, breathing pieces of art that transcend time. His interpretations offer a fresh perspective that enriches our understanding of Mozart’s genius. By blending elegance with emotional intensity, Paik’s artistry reaffirms the enduring relevance of Mozart’s music for contemporary audiences. That’s the short of it!

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