Few composers exemplified the late eighteenth-century Viennese keyboard style better than Mozart’s contemporary, the Czech composer Leopold Koželuch. A leading performer and teacher, he was even offered Mozart’s former post as court organist to the Archbishop of Salzburg. Preferring instead to preserve his independence, over a period of four decades he produced a series of major sonatas for fortepiano and harpsichord worthy to stand beside those of Haydn, Mozart, Clementi and Dussek, and as a precursor to those of Beethoven.

This is the first volume of the complete recording of Kozeluch’s 50 keyboard sonatas.

Kemp English is one of New Zealand’s leading keyboard performers. Much in demand as a solo organist, collaborative pianist and specialist fortepiano exponent, he displays an easy versatility across a diverse range of styles and periods. His solo CDs showcase him both as a fortepianist and concert organist, while the discs he has recorded with violin duo partner Robin Wilson explore repertoire that ranges from easy-listening to mainstream classical.