Mozart: Symphonies 39 & 40

On this CD:

1. Symphony No. 39 in E flat major, K. 543
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performed by Bamberg Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Eugen Jochum

2. Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K. 550
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performed by Bamberg Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Eugen Jochum

Tracks:

Adagio In G Minor
Jesu, Joy OF Man's Desiring
Moonlight Sonata - Adagio sostenuto
March Of The Toreadors (Carmen)
Celebrated Minuet
Polovtsian Dance No. 1 (Prince Igor)
Cradle Song
'Minute' Waltz
Suite Bergamasque: Clair de Lune
Largo
Pomp And Circumstance March No. 1
Rhapsody In Blue - Andante And Finale
Peer Gynt Suite: Morning
Messiah: Hallelujah Chorus
Liebestraum
Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Wedding March
'Masterpiece Theater' Theme: Rondau (First Symphonic Suite)
The Great Gate Of Kiev

Tracks:

Eine klein Nachtmusik - Allegro: Eine kleine Nachtmusik - Allegro
Orpheus In The Underworld: Cancan
Carmina Burana - O Fortuna
Canon In D
Lietenant Kije Suite - Troika
Turandot: Nessun dorma
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini - 18th Variation: Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini- 18th Variation
Bolero - Conclusion
The Tale Of Czar Sultan: Flight Of The Bumblebee
William Tell Overture - Finale
Carnival Of The Animals: The Swan
Gymnopedie No. 3
Ave Maria
Blue Danube Waltz
Thus Spake Zarathustra - Sunrise
Firebird Suite - Finale
1812 Overture - Finale: 1812 Overtune - Finale
Fantasia On 'Greensleeves'
Anvil Chorus (II Trovatore)
The Four Seasons - Largo From 'Winter'
Die Walkure: Ride Of The Valkyries

Amazon.com

For those who want the most remembered passages of classical music's best-loved works, here's a package for you. On this bargain priced double-CD, you'll find music from 40 different classical composers; for the most part, the recordings excerpted here are some of the very best. Of course, you only get one Bach sampling (Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, played by the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra) and one Mozart (A Little Night Music conducted by Herbert von Karajan), but this is still a nice collection--perhaps the starting point for a budding collection of classical music. This set's downfall? Unfortunately, though the liner notes discuss the evolution of classical music chronologically, the tracks are programmed in alphabetical order by composer's last name. This makes for some startling transitions! Emil Gilels's reflective performance of the Adagio from Beethoven's "Moonlight" sonata is followed by the crashing cymbals and bombast of Carmen's "March of the Toreadors," a recipe for a heart attack if there ever was one. Still, there's something here for everyone and the liner notes even explain what movies this music can be found in. A nice touch. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

Waste of money.......2006-01-12

Watch out for the volume leveling mentioned in another review. Surely the compliers could have come up with a better sort order than by composer. The change in tempo/volume between pieces makes it impossible to enjoy. My two CD's ended up in the trash.

Ken

Great Music Compilation.......2005-08-15

This is a great CD full of many songs that you will recognize and enjoy. If you are someone who likes classical music but doesn't necessarily know which songs or which composers you like, then this CD is for you. You will likely recognize many of the songs as the classical songs you would have picked out to be your favorites.

If you like classical music don't buy this CD........2005-03-11

Most of the tracks were chopped down to 3-4 minutes so some of the best parts of the compositions are missing. I don't know what I was thinking trying to buy 40 classical songs on two CD's. If you really want to enjoy the music you would do better to purchase a CD with fewer, but better quality tracks.

A must for anyone wanting the staples of classical music.......2005-02-23

In my years of experience teaching Fine Arts to high school students, I know that the majority, if not all, of the music included on this album is commonly used in collge music appreciation courses. This is an excellent sample of truly all the "greatest hits" of classical music. My students enjoy listening to the music and have later told me when take their required music apreciation courses in college that they "already know it all" because of this CD! The recordings are clear, the selections are passionate, and the listener will gain a familiarity with all of the most commonly heard classical music used in tv commercials, movies, etc.
I recommend this album, along with the boxed set, "Age of the Classics" for anyone who is interested in becoming familiar with the most famous staples of classical music.

A great compilation.......2005-02-09

This cd somes up some of the greatest pieces of instrumental (and is some cases choral) music ever written. It is a great starter for a beginning classical music lover or a quick and easy all-in-one for those of us who study classical music for a living. I highly recommend this cd to anyone who wants to love or already does love classical music.

Average customer rating:

NONE FINER!
Excellent readings of the last six symphonies...
Radiant performances!
Wonderful Sound Quality and Precision
Other than Bruno Walter's

Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 35-41

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Beethoven: 9 Symphonies
Mozart: The Great Piano Concertos, Vol. 1
Beethoven: Symphonien Nos. 5 & 7 / Kleiber, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Mozart: The Great Piano Concertos, Vol. 2
Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 / Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

ASIN: B000001GQB
Release Date: 1996-01-23

Tracks:

Symphonie No. 35 - Dur KV 385 'Haffner Symphonie': Allegro Con Spirito
Symphonie No. 35 - Dur KV 385 'Haffner Symphonie': (Andante)
Symphonie No. 35 - Dur KV 385 'Haffner Symphonie': Menuetto - Trio
Symphonie No. 35 - Dur KV 385 'Haffner Symphonie': Finale. Presto
Symphonie No. 36 - Dur KV 425 'Linzer Symphonie': Adagio - Allegro Spiritoso
Symphonie No. 36 - Dur KV 425 'Linzer Symphonie': Andante
Symphonie No. 36 - Dur KV 425 'Linzer Symphonie': Menuetto - Trio
Symphonie No. 36 - Dur KV 425 'Linzer Symphonie': Presto
Symphonie No. 38 - Dur KV 504 'Prager Symphonie': Adagio - Allegro
Symphonie No. 38 - Dur KV 504 'Prager Symphonie': Andante
Symphonie No. 38 - Dur KV 504 'Prager Symphonie': (Finale.) Presto

Tracks:

Symphonie No. 39 Es-dur KV 543: Adagio - Allegro
Symphonie No. 39 Es-dur KV 543: Andante Con Moto
Symphonie No. 39 Es-dur KV 543: Menuetto. Allegretto - Trio
Symphonie No. 39 Es-dur KV 543: Finale. Allegro
Symphonie No. 40 g-moll KV 550: Molto Allegro
Symphonie No. 40 g-moll KV 550: Andante
Symphonie No. 40 g-moll KV 550: Menuetto. Allegretto - Trio
Symphonie No. 40 g-moll KV 550: Allegro Assai
Symphonie No. 41 C-Dur KV 551 'Jupiter Symphonie': Allegro Vivace
Symphonie No. 41 C-Dur KV 551 'Jupiter Symphonie': Andante Cantabile
Symphonie No. 41 C-Dur KV 551 'Jupiter Symphonie': Menuetto. Allegretto - Trio
Symphonie No. 41 C-Dur KV 551 'Jupiter Symphonie': Molto Allegro

Amazon.com essential recording

Karl Bohm was one of this century's great Mozart conductors--a fact that's apt to be forgotten in the flood of authentic instrument productions, many of them on DG's associated labels. He conducted Mozart with real love and affection, maintaining moderate tempos, allowing each work's gorgeous melodies a chance to sing and breathe. Mozart's symphonic music has its roots in the opera house, and so did Bohm. Listening to the witty woodwind interjections in the finale of Symphony No. 39, for example, you can readily imagine the witty exchanges of different characters in one of Mozart's comic operas. These beautifully recorded versions of Mozart's greatest symphonies belong in the collection of every fan of the composer. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

NONE FINER!.......2007-07-19

In the WHOLE recorded field of Mozart late symphonies, NONE shine like these. Karl Bohm, undoubtedly, ranks supreme as the finest Mozart interpreter of "our" generation. He simply KNEW, and HAD A WAY, with this music that remains unparalleled. And the Berlin, well, they, too, certainly can work their way through these scores like no other ensemble...likely because of the great master leading them here.

I originally had these on LP back in the 60's, and literally wore the set out, replacing it years later. Then, of course, with it's initial release on cd I repurchased it, but found it "shrill" to my ears. This new remastering is simply stunning, and first rate. Thanks DG (or Universal) for your loving care and attention in this re-release mastering.

Simply stated, this set of the final symphonies of Mozart, under Bohm, BELONG in EVERY COLLECTION as a cornerstone. Should you doubt me, please read on among the other reviews here, and be convinced. ~operabruin

Excellent readings of the last six symphonies..........2007-03-09

I was listening to these again last night and I have to say, Bohm knows his Mozart. Then again, so does the Berlin Philharmonic. Bohm always seems to pick the right tempo, never too fast but not too slow either. The perfect example is the opening of the 39th, where Bohm revels in creating a big engulfing sound during the slow introduction; however as soon as the allegro kicks in, tempi and tones have a spring in their step. For me, this is one of the great versions of the 39th, even in spite of a few sloppy moments in the latter movements. He submits an excellent 35th and 36th, again with moderate tempi but wonderfully Mozartean phrasing, somewhat surprising since when Bohm recorded these, "Period Instruments" weren't even a twinkle in Harnoncourt's eye, and "Romantic" readings were all the rage for Mozart. Bohm's steadiness with these interpretations is only matched by his ear for detail; better, say, than Marriner, who is unquestionably steady, but whose readings lack spontenaity, and more consistent than Szell, whose 40th is one of the great readings, but whose 39th falls flat and whose brass/woodwinds can't handle their increased role in the Jupiter symphony.
Considering the age of these recordings (early- to mid-60s), they also sound remarkably clean and clear, and all of the parts can easily be heard; although I would credit Bohm with some of this as he was always excellent at creating space and keeping all of Mozart's many layers exposed to the listener. I have a number of different accounts of Mozart's last six symphonies (Marriner, Bernstein, Karajan, Szell 35, 39-41, Mackerras), but pound for pound, this one is the best. If you still aren't happy with the versions you own, this set may be your stopping point.

Radiant performances!.......2007-02-03

The Symphony No. 41 in C major Kv 551 best known as Jupiter retakes and maintains the most representative epic spirit of Mozart like any one Symphony. It breaths liberty, Dionysian pleasure and that essential rapture so common in the masterpieces. And under Bohm's baton exudates full aristocratic sound.

In spite of the fact it has been recorded so many times, just a few directors have been able to extract and carve in relief the majestic splendor of this K.

On the other hand the version of the 38th Symphony is simply majestic and radiant. Bohm never abuses of excess of elegance and his pristine lyricism may be easily realized.

Karl Bohm was indeed, one of the most representative Ambassadors of the Mozart symphonic repertoire. The Berlin Philharmonic, fortunately still maintained the noble sound inherited from Furtwangler and then Fricsay and that was a decisive fact to his favor.

Wonderful Sound Quality and Precision .......2006-03-24

Precision. That is what comes to my mind when listening to a Karl Bohm interpretation of Mozart. Mozart's final symphonies are ageless masterpieces of music. Anyone can recognize the opening Allegro moto of Symphony No. 40 in G-Minor (one of Mozart's only symphonies in a minor key). Just finding a collection with these wonderful symphonies is a great find.

As to the sound quality, Deutsch Gramophone spent extra time and resources into reissuing these originally analog recordings. It is nice to be able to hear every woodwind in balance and the string sections in their glory. The sound does not seem forced or artificial and the quality is absolutely superb.

These recordings were completed during the height of Bohm's time as a conductor. His interpretations are truly "viennese" in that tempos and structure are very precise and meticulous. Some may think his tempi are slow or plodding, but they offer a very nice interpretation that perhaps was accepted in Mozart's era. The 35th, 39th, and 41st symponies in the set are my favorites.

I would also suggest looking at George Szell's performances with the Cleveland Orchestra, for they offer a different interpretation but are also superb.

Other than Bruno Walter's.......2006-01-21

Columbia SO recordings (NOT with the New York PO) , which are OOP, this Bohm is the one to have, the only one you need actually. As I've heard at least 6 other major conductors, Klemperer , Mackerraas, both Levine's etc etc.
The only 2 I kept are the Walter ,got mine from a used cd dealer in the UK online :-) and the Bohm, complete sym set, which is the way to go for Mozart fans. There's quite a few very good syms in the 1-34.
All that stuff you read about Bohm being a "kapplemiester" (germanic style/cold), old fashioned, tutonic, is very misleading. I hear nothing of the sort and wish these comments would stop.
Though I was forwarned about Bohm being off track in approach with his german orch, I sense there is some anti-german sentiments in these negative comments about Bohm. None of this criticism leveled against Bohm is factual, only a prejudice in their minds.

As to
Details, tempos, instrument quality, sound quality, orch size all are in perfect harmony with Mozart.
. Bohm and the Berlin show forth a understanding of Mozart that none except Walter can rival.
The Klemper/Philharmonia on TESTAMENT, not the EMI release(which are duds) are not too bad, but not in the same category as either Bohm or Walter.
I sat down one day and compred all 3, and concluded the Klemperer were not necessary , for sound issues and also not on par with Bohm's definitive recording.

EDIT: I should mention that i read on a forum recently, he recalled Bohm from his vinyl set that the performances were 'a bit dull". Bohm does not speed read. Any conductor that takes Mozart too fast is doing a disservice to these richly detailed scores. Mozart requires detailed attention, which is what Bohm brings. Yet the life is there, not dull at all.
EDIT on Feb 21/07...
Mackerras' Prague is not in the same league as the Berlin. Many of the soloists in this Berlin use instruments that bring out a chamber flaor, and also Bohm kept the orch smaller than many other orch's. This smaller chamber sound brings more to Mozart than many other recodings I;'ve heard. Even Walter's Columbia is "big sound", yet Walter's does present a "Mozartian" image. Bohm goes even further. Many other like conductors record Mozart with a "Beethovenian" sound. That us large orch/heavy/darker.

Paul Best
Baton Rouge

Mozart: The Late Symphonies: Nos. 25, 29, 35, 36, 38, 39, 40, 41

Average customer rating:

A good bargain
Great compilation of Mozart!
Good collection
Retrograde Mozart with undeniable heart
Mozart: The Great Late Symphonies

Mozart: The Late Symphonies: Nos. 25, 29, 35, 36, 38, 39, 40, 41

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Beethoven: The 9 Symphonies (Collectors Edition)
Mozart: The Great Piano Concertos, Vol. 1
Mozart: The Six String Quintets
Mozart: The Great Piano Concertos, Vol. 2
Mozart: Violin Concertos

ASIN: B0000942LO
Release Date: 2003-07-01

Tracks:

I. Allegro Con Brio
II. Andante
III. Menuetto-Trio
IV. Allegro
I. Allegro Moderato
II. Andante
III. Menuetto-Trio
IV. Allegro Con Spirito
I. Adagio-Allegro
II. Andante
III. Presto

Tracks:

I. Allegro Con Spirito
II. Andante
III. Menuetto-Trio
IV. Presto
I. Molto Allegro
II. Andante
III. Menuetto-Trio
IV. Presto
I. Molto Allegro
II. Andante
III. Menuetto: Allegretto-Trio
IV. Allegro Assai

Tracks:

I. Adagio-Allegro
II. Andante Cantabile
III. Menuetto: Allegretto-Trio
IV. Finale: Allegro
I. Allegro Vivace
II. Andnate Cantabile
III. Menuetto: Allegretto-Trio
IV. Molto Allegro

Customer Reviews:

A good bargain.......2007-07-11

A bargain set, which whilst quirkily performed (in places), is a never-the-less continually entertaining to re-visit.

Great compilation of Mozart!.......2007-01-12

If you want to get the best of Mozart with a fabulous composer than this cd is the one for you. I am not a music critic, just a biology major who studies well listening to these classics -- they really help keep me focused!! Awsome symphonies at a great price -- what could be better?!?!

Good collection.......2006-12-21

I particularly found Symphonies 25 and 40 to be very nice to listen to. The the rest of them I found to be ok, maybe since I am not a big fan of classical music. I bought this cd because I went to a symphony that played Mozart no. 25 which I enjoyed very much. Hence I decided to try out his other compositions.

Retrograde Mozart with undeniable heart.......2005-12-04

Leonard Bernstein thought that every composer was a romantic because he was. These big, heart-on-sleeve performances of Mozart's great late symphonies use the Vienna Phil. at almost full force--they could slip into the Brahms First without adding personnel. Bernstein lived long enough to theoretically be influenced by the period-instrument movement, but his allegiance never shifted. He belongs with Karajan and Bohm as the last conductors for whom Mozart should sound "important."

At its best, this approach yields romantic depth, perhaps not what Mozart intended but valid in its way. I would rather listen to Bernstein's Mozart symphonies than Karajan's (tending to be slick and glossy, although better than reputed) or Bohm's (brisk and faceless). A new listener should know in advance that the slow movements will be expressively drawn out and the minuets often slow and heavy-footed (these dancers are wearing boots). But Bernstein believes in this music, and he is always genuine. That ocunts for a lot with a composer who used to be played as if he were a porcelain doll and is now too often played as if his divine music were written by a Roccoco computer. Four stars.

Mozart: The Great Late Symphonies.......2004-06-16

What a great album we have here. Leonard Bernstein conducts the later symphonies of Mozart, which are considered to be his most mature and his greatest works for full orchestra. This album is worth the price and a treasure to own for your extensive classical music collection. If you appreciate classical music, you'll truly enjoy this album. Everyone knows that Leonar Bernstein ranks among one of the best conductors of the 20th century, right up there with the great names of Herbert Von Karajan, Bruno Walter, Sir Neville Marriner, all who have held their own when it comes to Mozart's music. Karajan I feel is not quite as good when it comes to Mozart's symphonic works. Bruno Walter and Sir Neville Marriner have long surpassed Karajan in the area of Mozart symphonies. Indeed, if you get the chance be sure to check out symphonies conducted by either Bruno Walter or Sir Neville Marriner. Marriner and the Acadamy Of Saint Martin In The Fields did mostly Mozart and provided the music of the 1984 Milos Forman film Amadeus.

The reason this album is so good is Leonard Bernstein conducting. As a conductor and a musically atuned soul, he seems to really interpret these symphonies perfectly. He gets Mozart. He has captured every note, every vibrato, roulade, flowing lines and bouncy but balanced joy in every allegro movement, such as the first movement of the Prague Symphony No. 38. For contrast, he understood the substance and darkness that seems to be written into the Allegro of the Symphony No. 25. The first movement is meant to sound furious, anguished and complex, and fast in a darker sort of mood. It's one of those rare moments in which Mozart foreshadows the Romantic Era that would begin with Beethoven. Mozart would also do this with the andante of his 21st piano concerto and the opening movement of the Piano Concerto No. 20. The last symphonies 40 and 41, "Haffner" and "Jupiter" are regarded as Mozart's most mature works for the symphony. The orchestra is more panoramic and produces a less lighter texture. The music is a fully developed Mozart in his later years. The Jupiter is his grandest. Its name conjures up the vastness of the planet Jupiter or the majesty of the Roman god Jupiter. Get this album if you're a fan of Mozart and a fan of the conductor Leonard Bernstein who aptly conducted the New York Philharmonic for many years and the Berlin Philharmonic towards the end of his life.

Complete Mozart Symphonies / Pinnock, English Concert
Average customer rating:

The best period instrument Mozart symphony cycle around

The best period orchestra Mozart symphonies around!

A Beautiful Time Capsule

Another BBB (basically bland Brit) recording

Pinnock excellent, DG Archiv sound variable

Complete Mozart Symphonies / Pinnock, English Concert
Mozart , Ecc , and Pinnock
Manufacturer: Archiv Produktion
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Mozart: The Piano Concertos

Bach: Concertos

Haydn: Complete Symphonies (Box Set)

Dvorák: The Symphonies

Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies; 7 Overtures

ASIN: B000069KJ3
Release Date: 2002-10-08

Tracks:

Molto Allegro
Andante
Presto
Allegro Assai
Andante
Presto
Allegro
Andante
Presto
Allegro
Andante
Molto Allegro
Allegro Maestoso
Andante
Presto
Allegro
Andante
Menuetto - Trio
Allegro

Tracks:

Molto Allegro
Andante
Menuetto - Trio
Molto Allegro
Allegro
Andante
Menuetto - Trio
Molto Allegro
Allegro
Andante
Menuetto - Trio
Molto Allegro
Allegro Maestoso
Andante
Menuetto - Trio
Allegro
Allegro
Andante
Menuetto - Trio
Allegro
Allegro
Andante
Allegro Molto

Tracks:

Allegro
Andante
Menuetto - Trio
Presto
Allegro
Andante
Menuetto - Trio
Allegro
Allegro
Andante
Allegro
Allegro
Andante
Menuetto - Trio
Allegro Molto
Allegro
Andantino
Menuetto - Trio
Allegro
Allegro
Andante
Menuetto - Trio
Molto Allegro

Tracks:

Allegro
Andante
Allegro
Allegro
Andante
Menuetto - Trio
Allegro
Allegro
Andante
Menuetto - Trio
Molto Allegro
Allegro Moderato
Andante
Menuetto - Trio
Molto Allegro
Allegro
Andante
Menuetto - Trio
Presto

Tracks:

Allegro Maestoso
Andante Grazioso
Allegro
Allegro
Andante
Allegro
Allegro
Andantino Grazioso
Menuetto - Trio
Molto Allegro
Allegro
Andante
Menuetto - Trio
Allegro
Molto Presto
Andante
Allegro

Tracks:

Allegro
Andante
Menuetto - Trio
(Allegro)
Allegro
Andante
Menuetto - Trio
Allegro
Allegro Assai
Andantino Grazioso
Presto Assai
Allegro Spiritoso
Andantino Grazioso
Presto Assai
Allegro
Andantino Grazioso
Presto

Tracks:

Allegro Spiritoso
Andantino Grazioso
Allegro
Allegro Con Brio
Andante
Menuetto - Trio
Allegro
Molto Allegro
Andantino Con Moto
Menuetto - Trio
Presto
Allegro Assai
Andante
Allegro

Tracks:

Allegro Moderato
Andante
Menuetto - Trio
Allegro Con Spirito
Allegro Spiritoso
Andante
Menuetto: Allegretto - Trio
Presto
Allegro Assai
Andante Moderato
Menuetto - Trio
Allegro Assai

Tracks:

Allegro Spiritoso
Andante
Tempo Primo
Allegro Vivace
Andante Di Molto Piu Tosto Allegretto
Finale: Allegro Vivace
Allegro Con Spirito
Andante
Menuetto - Trio
Presto
Adagio - Allegro Spiritoso
Andante
Menuetto - Trio
Presto

Tracks:

Adagio - Allegro
Andante
Presto
Adagio - Allegro
Andante Con Moto
Menuetto: Allegretto - Trio
Finale: Allegro

Tracks:

Molto Allegro
Andante
Menuetto: Allegretto - Trio
Allegro Assai
Allegro Vivace
Andante Cantabile
Menuetto: Allegretto - Trio
Molto Allegro

Customer Reviews:

The best period instrument Mozart symphony cycle around.......2005-11-24

Trevor Pinnock and the English Concert turn in the best period instrument Mozart Symphony cycle around. With 20-30 players, the English Concert sounds full and rich, and are so well recorded, one could mistake them for a modern instrument chamber orchestra augmented with more players for a bigger sound. The early symphonies employ fewer players, the symphonies from about No. 20 and following call for more players, in some cases trumpets, horns and timpani in addition to the usual strings, harpsichord, flutes, oboes, and bassoon.

Pinnock chooses perfect tempos for the English Concert: allegros are spritely, but not driven and there's never a sense that the musicians are having trouble keeping up at Pinnock's tempos. Andante movements sing with the cantabile quality Mozart is famous for, and are always musical and flowing: very beautiful.

I am not a big fan of period instrument Mozart. I have heard Hogwood and the Academy of Ancient Music (L'Oiseau Lyre) in Mozart Symphonies 34, 38, 39, and 41 and that's enough to give me a sense that Pinnock is superior - more confident, and better recorded - to Hogwood in this music. Haydn's symphonies seem to work better with period instruments than do Mozart's, but Pinnock and the English Concert have a special musical quality which MAKE Mozart work with a period orchestra. Incidentally, both Pinnock and Hogwood have recorded very fine Haydn Symphonies with their respective orchestras.

I have also read, in AMERICAN RECORD GUIDE (July/August 2005 issue) in a review of the Mozart Symphonies with Linden/Mozart Academy of Amsterdam, a period orchestra (Brilliant Classics set) that Pinnock's Mozart cycle is to be preferred. I have not heard Linden myself, but ARG's review states that with the exception of Symphonies 20, 39, 40, and 41, Pinnock "wins across the board." The reviewer cites sour tuning, below standard pitch, sloppy playing, not enough contrasts of dynamic range and pokey allegros, as liabilites which are especially annoying in Linden's cycle, and advises the reader to go with Pinnock if looking for a period cycle of Mozart symphonies.

Other options? Bohm/Berlin Philharmonic (DG); Krips/Concertgebouw (for Symphonies 21-41, Philips); Hans Graf/Mozarteum Orchestra, Salzburg (Capriccio); and Nicholas Ward/Northern Chamber Orchestra, modern instrument chamber orchestra (for early symphonies, Naxos). But unless you really hate period instruments, you will like Pinnock, as I do, and as I stated earlier: I am not a fan of period instrument Mozart.

The best period orchestra Mozart symphonies around!.......2005-08-23

Trevor Pinnock and the English Concert perform Mozart's symphonies with great style, elan, and spirit, making this the best period orchestra Mozart Symphonies around. Pinnock deals alot in contrasts and atmosphere, setting a mood for each movement, within each symphony. The English Concert plays even Mozart's earliest symphonies-written when he was a pre-teen-as great music, and it works, very effectively. Allegros bristle with spirit, Andantes and Adagios emphasize cantabile (singing style) as all Mozart's music has a vocal/singing emphasis (in contrast to Haydn or Beethoven, who tend to build movements arount motives, or rhythmic patterns of notes; Mozart emphasizes melody moreso in many of his works).

I am not a fan of period instruments in music of Haydn, Mozart, and any composers after Bach and Handel, but this cycle is really fine. My favorite Mozart Symphonies have been Karl Bohm/Berlin Philharmonic (complete cycle, DG); 21-41 by Joseph Krips/Concertgebouw Orchestra (Philips, coupled with Marriner/Academy of St. Martin in the fields for 1-20); Bruno Walter/New York Philharmonic for Symphonies 25,28,29,35,36,38-41 (Sony); Otto Klemperer/Philharmonia for Symphonies 36,38-41 (EMI). But, Pinnock's accounts are spirited and the English Concert, at about 20-25 players, doesn't sound scrawny or ineffective at all. If you're used to the sonority of the Berlin Philharmonic or Philharmonia Orchestra, this will take some getting used to, but it is very good.

This could be called "period instrument Mozart for those who don't like period instruments." I have heard Christopher Hogwood/Academy of Ancient Music in Symphonies 34,38,39,41, and they are not as good as Pinnock's accounts. Hogwood's orchestra sounds small, puny compared with Pinnock's more robust group. I am not meaning to degrade Hogwood, as I have a number of fine recordings of his: Beethoven Symphonies 1,2;
Handel's MESSIAH; Haydn Symphonies 94, 96; Boyce Opus 6 Symphonies. But in Mozart Symphonies, I prefer Pinnock.

Pinnock's set is also well recorded, adding to it's high quality. You can't go wrong with these, unless you absolutely hate period instruments.

A Beautiful Time Capsule.......2005-04-08

In comparing this recording, with its use of original instruments, and my favorite recordings with modern instruments, I find I prefer this. It doesn't lose any power, but it gains by the imaginative process of listening to the music as Mozart would have heard it. The collection is also a wonderful way to listen to the progression of Mozart's music throughout his life. As you listen to the first two of the eleven discs, you'll be amazed at the symphonies he wrote when he was only nine years old!

Another BBB (basically bland Brit) recording.......2005-04-06

This is a short review because when you've heard one of these you've heard them all. They're all played in the same starched, stiff mannor, with brisk tempi, little feeling, no shaping of phrase, and no color. The Mozart symphonies--the latter ones, anyway--have their own style and merit different approaches (No. 31, the "Paris," is almost curtain-raiser music for an opera buffa, for example, while No. 39 is in some ways proto-Beethoven, harmonically sharing a good deal with the "Eroica," and No. 40 shows Mozart heading into a realm of a basically Romantic chromaticism that would have led to much fascinating music if he'd lived longer and written more in that style). Yet here all the works are played interchangably. These are performances that could have been generated on a computer.

The sound is excellent, but that's about all there is to recommend this set. Hogwood's traversal on period instruments has more personality, believe it or not. And to really show what can be done with works like these on HIP instruments, try Franz Bruggen's remarkable recordings of the Haydn symphonies on Philips. I can't recommend this set, and I got it for considerably less than the Amazon price, too.

Pinnock excellent, DG Archiv sound variable.......2005-02-18

I greatly admire Pinnock's style, directing skill and harpsichord playing, but I don't understand the variability of sound balance achieved on his many recordings by DG. Most are recorded in Henry Wood Hall and have the same "tonmeister" and producers. For example his recording of the Bach Violin Concertos is vibrant, full bodied and has a great "presence", whereas on the other end of the spectrum, the last disc of the symphonies, 40 and 41, is really anemic, with pratically no bass. I gave them a +12db bass boost to try and compensate for the lack of bass, but there was hardly any difference in the low end response. In order to listen to this disc, and to some extent the prior two as well, I have reverted to my volume expander used with vinyl records from the 70's.

My system has very clean and deep bass response and handles Telarc organ recordings with great effect, so I do not believe it is that. And, as I stated the violin concertos have a great presence, to the point where I can visualize the bass and cello players bowing their instruments. It may be do to different microphone placement for the larger ensemble of the latter symphonies, without compensating for the different acoustic.

When it comes to Archiv's 4D recordings of the English Concert, I do not like them at all. The choir from the Mozart Coronation Mass sounds like it is being piped down from outer space, detached and way to ethereal. The Telemann suites do not fare any better, thin and anemic. Don't think the extended dynamic range and lower threshold noise level helped in any way.

I should also add that I have about every recording of Pinnock and the English Concert, really the best "Original Instruments Group" out there. In my humble opinion, Pinnock should have a "Sir" in front of his name.

Mozart: The Symphonies (Nos 1-41, plus 27 other symphonic works) /AAM * Schroder * Hogwood

Average customer rating:

The original, original instrument take
The most complete set of Mozart symphonies ever recorded
Indispensable
Ok, but....
A milestone set, and worthy of all praise

Mozart: The Symphonies (Nos 1-41, plus 27 other symphonic works) /AAM * Schroder * Hogwood
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , The Academy of Ancient Music , Christopher Hogwood , and Jaap Schroder
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Beethoven - The Symphonies / Augér, Robbin, Rolfe Johnson, Reinhart, AAM, Hogwood
Mozart - Requiem / Kirkby · Watkinson · Rolfe Johnson · D. Thomas · AAM · Hogwood
Mozart: The Piano Concertos
Mozart - Clarinet Concerto & Oboe Concerto / Pay, Piguet, AAM, Hogwood
Bach: Concertos

ASIN: B000004CYS
Release Date: 1997-06-24

Tracks:

Symphony No. 1 In E Flat Major, K.16: I. Allegro molto
Symphony No. 1 In E Flat Major, K.16: II. Andante
Symphony No. 1 In E Flat Major, K.16: III. Presto
Symphony No. 4 In D Major, K.19: I. Allegro
Symphony No. 4 In D Major, K.19: II. Andante
Symphony No. 4 In D Major, K.19: III. Presto
Symphony In F Major, K.19a-Anh.223: I. Allegro assai
Symphony In F Major, K.19a-Anh.223: II. Andante
Symphony In F Major, K.19a-Anh.223: III. Presto
Symphony No. 5 In B Flat Major, K.22: I. Allegro
Symphony No. 5 In B Flat Major, K.22: II. Andante
Symphony No. 5 In B Flat Major, K.22: III. Allegro molto
Symphony In D Major, K.32: I. Molto allegro
Symphony In D Major, K.32: II. Andante
Symphony In D Major, K.32: III. Menuetto & Trio
Symphony In D Major, K.32: IV. Finale
Symphony In D Major, K.81-K.783l: I. Allegro
Symphony In D Major, K.81-K.783l: II. Andante
Symphony In D Major, K.81-K.783l: III. Allegro molto
Symphony In D Major, K.97-K73m: I. Allegro
Symphony In D Major, K.97-K73m: II. Andante
Symphony In D Major, K.97-K73m: III. Menuetto & Trio
Symphony In D Major, K.97-K73m: IV. Presto

Tracks:

Symphony In D Major, K.95-K73n: I. Allegro
Symphony In D Major, K.95-K73n: II. Andante
Symphony In D Major, K.95-K73n: III. Menuetto & Trio
IV. Presto
Symphony No. 11 In D Major, K.84-K73q: I. Allegro
Symphony No. 11 In D Major, K.84-K73q: II. Andante
III. Allegro
Symphony No. 10 In G Major, K.74: I. Allegro - Andante
Symphony No. 10 In G Major, K.74: II. Rondo (Allegro)
Symphony In D Major, K.87-K74a: I. Allegro
Symphony In D Major, K.87-K74a: II. Andante grazioso
Symphony In D Major, K.87-K74a: III. Presto
Symphony In D Major, K.120-K.111-111a: I. Allegro assai
Symphony In D Major, K.120-K.111-111a: II. Andante grazioso
Symphony In D Major, K.120-K.111-111a: III. Presto
Symphony In C Major, K.96-K.111b: I. Allegro
Symphony In C Major, K.96-K.111b: II. Andante
Symphony In C Major, K.96-K.111b: III. Menuetto & Trio
Symphony In C Major, K.96-K.111b: IV. Allegro molto
Symphony No. 13 In F Major, K.112: I. Allegro
Symphony No. 13 In F Major, K.112: II. Andante
Symphony No. 13 In F Major, K.112: III. Menuetto & Trio
Symphony No. 13 In F Major, K.112: IV. Allegro molto

Tracks:

Symphony In C Major, K.35: Sinfonia: Allegro
Symphony In D Major, K.38: Intrada: Allegro
Symphony In D Major, K.200-K62a: I. Serenata: Allegro
Symphony In D Major, K.200-K62a: II. Menuetto &Trio
Symphony In D Major, K.200-K62a: III. Andante
Symphony In D Major, K.200-K62a: IV. Menuetto & Trio
Symphony In D Major, K.200-K62a: V. Allegro
Symphony No. 9 In C Major, K.73: I. Allegro
Symphony No. 9 In C Major, K.73: II. Andante
Symphony No. 9 In C Major, K.73: III. Menuetto & Trio
Symphony No. 9 In C Major, K.73: IV. Allegro molto
Symphony In D Minor, K.118-K74c: Overture: Allegro - Andante - Presto
Symphony In F Major, K.75: I. Allegro
Symphony In F Major, K.75: II. Menuetto & Trio
Symphony In F Major, K.75: III. Andantino
Symphony In F Major, K.75: IV. Allegro
Symphony No. 12 In G Major, K.110-K75b: I. Allegro
Symphony No. 12 In G Major, K.110-K75b: II. Andante
Symphony No. 12 In G Major, K.110-K75b: III. Menueto & Trio
Symphony No. 12 In G Major, K.110-K75b: IV. Allegro

Tracks:

Symphony No. 14 In A Major, K.114: I. Allegro moderato
Symphony No. 14 In A Major, K.114: II. Andante
Symphony No. 14 In A Major, K.114: III. Menuetto & Trio
Symphony No. 14 In A Major, K.114: IV. Molto allegro
Symphony No. 14 In A Major, K.114: V. Anhang: Menuett K.61g
Symphony No. 15 In G Major, K.124: I. Allegro
Symphony No. 15 In G Major, K.124: II. Andante
Symphony No. 15 In G Major, K.124: III. Menuetto & Trio
Symphony No. 15 In G Major, K.124: IV. Presto
Symphony No. 16 In C Major, K.128: I. Allegro maestoso
Symphony No. 16 In C Major, K.128: II. Andante grazioso
Symphony No. 16 In C Major, K.128: III. Allegro
Symphony No. 17 In G Major, K.129: I. Allegro
Symphony No. 17 In G Major, K.129: II. Andante
Symphony No. 17 In G Major, K.129: III. Allegro

Tracks:

Symphony No. 18 In F Major, K.130: I. Allegro
Symphony No. 18 In F Major, K.130: II. Andantino grazioso
Symphony No. 18 In F Major, K.130: III. Menuetto & Trio
Symphony No. 18 In F Major, K.130: IV. Molto allegro
Symphony No. 19 In E Flat Major, K.132: I. Allegro
Symphony No. 19 In E Flat Major, K.132: II. Andante
Symphony No. 19 In E Flat Major, K.132: III. Menuetto & Trio
Symphony No. 19 In E Flat Major, K.132: IV. Allegro
Symphony No. 19 In E Flat Major, K.132: Anhang: Andantino grazioso (substitute slow movement)
Symphony In D Major, K.185-K167a: I. Allegro assai
Symphony In D Major, K.185-K167a: II. Andante grazioso
Symphony In D Major, K.185-K.167a: III. Menuetto & Trio
Symphony In D Major, K.185-K167a: IV. Adagio - Allegro assai

Tracks:

Symphony No. 20 In D Major, K 133: I. Allegro
Symphony No. 20 In D Major, K 133: II. Andante
Symphony No. 20 In D Major, K 133: III. Menuetto And Trio
Symphony No. 20 In D Major, K 133: IV. Allegro
Symphony No. 21 In A Major, K 134: I. Allegro
Symphony No. 21 In A Major, K 134: II. Andante
Symphony No. 21 In A Major, K 134: III. Menuetto And Trio
Symphony No. 21 In A Major, K 134: IV. Allegro
Symphony In D Major, K 135: I. Molto allegro
Symphony In D Major, K 135: II. Andante
Symphony In D Major, K 135: III. Molto allegro
Symphony In D Major, K 161 - K 163 - K 141a: I. Allegro moderato
Symphony In D Major, K 161 - K 163 - K 141a: II. Andante
Symphony In D Major, K 161 - K 163 - K141a: III. Presto

Tracks:

Symphony No. 26 In E Flat Major, K 184 , K 161a: Molto presto - Andante - Allegro
Symphony No. 27 In G Major, K 199 , K 161b: I. Allegro
Symphony No. 27 In G Major, K 199 , K 161b: II. Andantino grazioso
Symphony No. 27 In G Major, K 199 , K 161b: III. Presto
Symphony No. 22 In C Major, K 162: I. Allegro assai
Symphony No. 22 In C Major, K 162: II. Andantino grazioso
Presto assai
Symphony In D Major, K 181, K 162b: I. Allegro spiritoso
Symphony In D Major, K 181, K 162b: II. Andantino grazioso
Symphony No. 24 In B Flat Major, K 181, K 162b: III. Presto assai
Symphony No. 24 In B Flat Major, K 182, K 173dA: I. Allegro spiritoso
Symphony No. 24 In B Flat Major, K 182, K 173dA: II. Andantino grazioso
Symphony No. 24 In B Flat Major, K 182, K 173dA: III. Allegro

Tracks:

Symphony No. 25 In G Minor, K 183, K 173dB: I. Allegro con brio
Symphony No. 25 In G Minor, K 183, K 173dB: II. Andante
Symphony No. 25 In G Minor, K 183, K 173dB: III. Menuetto And Trio
Symphony No. 25 In G Minor, K 183, K 173 dB: IV. Allegro
Symphony No. 29 In A Major, K 201, K 186a: I. Allegro moderato
Symphony No. 29 In A Major, K 201, K 186a: II. Andante
Symphony No. 29 In A Major, K 201, K 186a: III. Menuetto And Trio
Symphony No. 29 In A Major, K 201, K 186a: IV. Allegro con spirito

Tracks:

Symphony No. 30 In D Major, K 202 , K 186b: I. Molto allegro
Symphony No. 30 In D Major, K 202, K 186b: II. Andantino con moto
Symphony No. 30 In D Major, K 202, K 186b: III. Menuetto And Trio
Symphony No. 30 In D Major, K 202, K 186b: IV. Presto
Symphony In D Major, K 203, K 189b: I. Andante maetoso - Allegro assai
Symphony In D Major, K 203, K 189b: II. Andante
Symphony In D Major, K 203, K 189b: III. Menuetto And Trio
Symphony In D Major, K 203, K 189b: IV. Prestissimo

Tracks:

Symphony No. 28 In C Major, K 200, K 189k: I. Allegro spriritoso
Symphony No. 28 In C Major, K 200, K 189k: II. Andante
Symphony No. 29 In C Major, K 200, K 189k: III. Menuetto (Allegretto) And Trio
Symphony No. 28 In C Major, K 200, K 189k: IV. Presto
Symphony In D Major, K 121, K 207a: I. Allego molto
Symphony In D Major,K 121, K 207a: II. Andante grazioso
Symphony In D Major, K 121, K 207a: III. Allegro
Symphony In D Majr, K 204,K 213a: I. Allegro assai
Symphony In D Major, K 204, K 213a: II. Andante
Symphony In D Major, K 204, K 213a: III. Menuetto And Trio
Symphony In D Major, K 204, K 213a: IV. Andantino grazioso - Allegro

Tracks:

Symphony In C Major, K 208, K 213c: I. Molto allegro
Symphony In C Major, K 208, K 213c: II. Andantino
Symphony In C Major, K 208, K 213c: III. Presto assai
Symphony In D Jaor, K 250, K 249b (Haffner Serernade): I. Allegro maestoso - Allegro molto
Symphony In D Major, K 250, K 248b (Haffner Serenade): II. Menuetto galante And Trio
Symphony In D Major, K 250, K 248b (Haffner Serenade): III. Andante
Symphony In D Major, K 250, K 248b (Haffner Serenade): IV. Menuetto And 2 Trios
Symphony In D Major, K 250, K 248b (Haffner Serenade): V. Adagio - Allegro assai
Symphony No. 32 In G Major, K 318: I. Allegro spiritoso
Symphony No. 32 In G Major, K 318: II. Andante
Symphony No. 32 In G Majaor, K 318: III. Tempo primo

Tracks:

Symphony No. 33 In B Flat Major, K 319: I. Allegro assai
Symphony No. 33 In B Flat Major, K 319: II. Andante moderato
Symphony No. 33 In B Flat Major, K 319: III. Menuetto And Trio
Symphony No. 33 In B Flat Major, K 319: IV. Allegro assai
Symphony In D Major, K 320 (Posthorn Serenade): I. Adagio maestoso - Allegro con spirito
Symphony In D Major, K 320 (Posthorn Serenade): II. Andantino
Symphony In D Major, K 320 (Posthorn Serenade): III. Presto
Symphony No. 34 In C Major, K 338: I. Allegro vivace
Symphony No. 34 In C Major, K 338: II. Andante di molto piu tosto allegretto
Symphony No. 34 In C Major, K 338: III. Allegro vivace

Tracks:

March In D Major, K 408, No. 2, K 385a
Symphony No. 35 In D Major, 'Haffner' (First Version), K 385: I. Allegro con spirito
Symphony No. 25 In D Major, 'Haffner' (First Version), K 385: II. Andante
Symphony No. 35 In D Major, 'Haffner' (First Version), K 385: III. Menuetto And Trio
Symphony No. 35 In D Major, 'Haffner' (First Version), K 385: IV. Presto
Symphony No. 36 In Major, 'Linz', K 425: I. Adagio - Allegro spiritoso
Symphony No. 36 In C Major, 'Linz', K 425: II. Andante
Symphony No. 36 In C Major, 'Linz', K425: III. Menuetto And Trio
Symphony No. 36 In C Major, 'Linz', K 425: IV. Presto

Tracks:

Symphony No. 31In D Major, 'Paris' (First Version), K 297, K 300a: I. Allegro vivace
Symphony No. 31 In D Major, 'Paris' (First Version), K 297, K 300a: II. Andante
Symphony No. 31 In D Major, 'Paris' (First Version), K 297, K 300a: III. Allegro
Symphony No. 35 In D Major, 'Haffner' (Second Version), K 385: I. Allegro con spirito
Symphony No. 35 In D Major, 'Haffner' (Second Version), K 385: II. (Andante)
Symphony No. 35 In D Major, 'Haffner' (Second Version), K 385: III. Menuetto And Trio
Symphony No. 35 In D Major, 'Haffner' (Second Version), K 385: IV. Finale (Presto)
Symphony No. 38 In D Major, 'Prague', K 504: I. Adagio - Allegro
Symphony No. 38 In D Major, 'Prague', K 504: II. Andante
Symphony No. 38 In D Major, 'Prague', K504: III. Presto

Tracks:

Symphony No. 39 In E Flat Major, K 543: I. Adagio - Allegro
Symphony No. 39 In E Flat Major, K 543: II. Andante con moto
Symphony No. 39 In E Flat Major, K 543: III. Menuetto And Trio (Allegretto)
Symphony No. 39 In E Flat Major, K 543: IV. Finale (Allegro)
Symphony No. 40 In G Minor (First Version), K 550: I. Molto allegro
Symphony No. 40 In G Minor (First Version), K 550: II. Andante
Symphony No. 40 In G Minor (First Version), K 550: III. Menuetto And Trio (Allegretto)
Symphony No. 40 In G Minor (First Version), K 550: IV. Allegro assai

Tracks:

Symphony No. 31 In D Major, 'Paris' (Second Version), K 297, K 300a: I. Allegro assai
Symphony No. 31 In D Major, 'Paris' (Second Version), K 297, K 300a: II. Andante
Symphony No. 31 In D Major, 'Paris' (Second Version), K 297, K 300a: III. Allegro
Symphony No. 41 In C Major, 'Jupiter', K 551: I. Allegro vivace
Symphony No. 41 In C Major, 'Jupiter', K 551: II. Andante cantabile
Symphony No. 41 In C Major, 'Jupiter', K 551: III. Menuetto And Trio (Allegretto)
Symphony No. 41 In C Major, 'Jupiter', K 551: IV. Molto allegro

Tracks:

Symphony In A Minor, 'Odense', K 16a, Anh. 220: I. Allegro moderato
Symphony In A Minor, 'Odense', K 16a, Anh. 220: II. Andantino
Symphony In A Minor, 'Odense', K 16a, Anh. 220: III. Rondo: Allegro moderato
Symphony In G Major, 'Alte Lambach', K 45a, Anh. 221: I. Allegro maestoso
Symphony In G Major, 'Alte Lambach', K 45a, Anh. 221: II. Andante
Symphony In G Major, 'Alte Lambach', K 45a, Anh. 221: III. Molto allegro
Symphony In F Major, K 76, K 42a: I. Allegro maestoso
Symphony In F Major, K 76, K 42a: II. Andante
Symphony In F Major, K 76, K 42a: III. Menuetto And Trio
Symphony In F Major, K 76, K 42a: IV. Allegro
Symphony No. 6 In F Major, K 43: I. Allegro
Symphony No. 6 In F Major, K 43: II. Andante
Symphony No. 6 In F Major, K 43: III. Menuetto And Trio
Symphony No. 6 In F Major, K 43: IV. Allegro

Tracks:

Symphony In G Major, 'Neue Lambach': I. Allegro
Symphony In G Major, 'Neue Lambach': II. Andante un poco allegretto
Symphony In G Major, 'Neue Lambach': III. Menuetto And Trio
Symphony In G Major, 'Neue Lambach': IV. Allegro
Symphony No. 7 In D Major, K 45: I. Allegro
Symphony No. 7 In D Major, K 45: II. Andante
Symphony No. 7 In D Major, K 45: III. Menuetto And Trio
Symphony No. 7 In D Major, K 45: IV. Finale
Symphony In B Flat Major, K 45b, Anh. 214: I. Allegro
Symphony In B Flat Major, K 45b, Anh. 214: II. Andante
Symphony In B Flat Major, K 45b, Anh. 214: III. Menuetto And Trio
Symphony In B Flat Major, K 45b, Anh. 214: IV. Allegro
Symphony In D Major, K 51, K 46a: I. Molto allegro
Symphony In D Major, K 51, K 46a: II. Andante
Symphony In D Major, K 51, K 46a: III. Molto allegro
Symphony No. 8 In D Major, K 48: I. Allegro
Symphony No. 8 In D Major, K 48: II. Andante
Symphony No. 8 In D Major, K 48: III. Menuetto And Trio
Symphony No. 8 In D Major, K 48: IV. Allegro

Tracks:

Symphony In B Flat Major, Anh. C11.03, Anh. 216, K 3 - 74g: I. Allegro
Symphony In B Flat Major, Anh. C11.03, Anh. 216, K 3 - 74g: II. Andante
Symphony In B Flat Major, Anh. C11.03, Anh. 216, K 3 - 74g: III. Menuetto And Trio
Symphony In B Flat Major, Anh. C11.03, Anh. 215, K 3 - 74g: IV. Allegro molto
Symphony No. 37 In G Major, K 444, K 425a, Anh. A53: Mvts II And III By Michael Haydn: I. Adagio maestoso - Allegro con spirito
Symphony No. 37 In G Major, K 444, K 425a, Anh. A53: Mvts II And III By Michael Haydn: II. Andante sostenuto
Symphony No. 37 In G Major, K 444, K 425a, Anh. A53: Mvts II And III By Michael Haydn: III. Finale (Allegro molto)
Symphony No. 40 In G Minor (Second Version), K 550: I. Molto allegro
Symphony No. 40 In G Minor (Second Version), K 550: II. Andante
Symphony No. 40 In G Minor (Second Version), K 550: III. Menuetto And Trio (Allegretto)
Symphony No. 40 In G Minor (Second Version), K 550: IV. Allegro assai

Amazon.com essential recording

This was the set that really got the "authentic instrument" craze going. It was a big, ambitious project that promised a fresh look at familiar music, as well as lots of exciting new discoveries. Christopher Hogwood tailored his forces to match what we know of the actual size and constitution of the orchestras of the period, and since Mozart wrote symphonies in every country in Europe, including England, France, Italy, Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia, the result is practically a blueprint of 18th-century orchestral practice. Then everyone else got into the act, and these performances sort of fell off the musical map. Listening to them again, one finds they hold up rather well. There's still the sense of discovery, and of course the music itself is glorious. At budget price, this is history in sound. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

The original, original instrument take.......2007-05-03

A few months ago I bought the Trevor Pinnock Mozart Complete Symphonies (11 cds) and the 250th Anniversary Edition Mozart Symphonies (8 cds) that is not quite a complete symphony cycle. The Anniversary Edition features Harnoncourt on about 5 of the 8 discs. I also have his two CD twofers that cover the early symphonies. So, I more or less ended up with two complete renditions of Mozart's symphonies. I first bought the Harnoncourt early symphony 2fer and enjoyed it enough to buy volume two. This led me to buy the 250 Anniversay 8 cd set. I have not in the least regretted these purchases!

Harnoncourt is the most radical of these three original instrument takes on Mozart, especially in the late symphonies. For example, listen to symphony 29 by each of these three sets and compare them to the Karl Bohm benchmark 29th. Harnoncourt is Ricky Racer and Bohm is Mr. Serene and Majestic.

Obviously, price is only one of the factors in buying. The AAM costs more but has almost twice the music. The AAM set is probably the more collectable since they got there first. This set was issued in multiple lp boxes way back when and I recently watched just one of these boxes, unopened, go for over 80 bucks at EBAY.

There really is quite a sound difference between modern and original instruments. Rhapsody has the Mozart Horn Concertos posted by the AAM using an apparently valveless horn. Listen to this very squeaky rendition and compare it to Brain's to get a feel for the difference. They also have the Philips Complete Mozart Piano Concerto box that features a pianoforte on disc one of concertos 1 to 4. This instrument sounds more like a harpsichord than a piano and took some adjusting to get used to. The Smithsonian put out on vinyl (circa 1980) The Six Brandenburg Concerti by Bach on original instruments. The booklet gives quite a bit of info on the differences in instruments between modern and original. Here are a few snippets: "The brass instruments were, until the 19th century, valveless." This reduced the number of notes available. "The wind instruments of Bach's time had few keys--the transverse flute had one, the oboe two or three, and the bassoon three--calling for contrived fingerings to cover the full chromatic scale." "The music produced by a Baroque bow is characteristically tapered in shape, with great potential for a lively distinction between notes."

The bottom line for me is that Mozart, when well played, conducted, and recorded, sounds great--be it original instruments or modern. Having both modern and original choices is great. Life is wonderful with changes in flavor. I have only listened once to the AAM Mozart symphonies and have not done a compare and contrast between these and Pinnock's, etc. I was impressed by the consistency in performance and that being very good. It is really quite a feat to put out 19 cds and have them sound great from stem to stern. As an ADD recording, these give the DDDs a run for the money. The AAM Mozart Symphony cycle is posted at Rhapsody so you can look before you leap if you are in the market.

The most complete set of Mozart symphonies ever recorded.......2006-08-10

This massive 19 CD collection contains 71 symphonies!

Yes, all 41 of the usual symphonies are here, but another 27 symphonic works are presented, as well as alternative versions of symphonies Nos. 31, 35 & 40. The works are all recorded on period instruments (or modern copies of 18th century instruments) and the orchestra is accompanied throughout by harpsichord continuo. The sounds of the various sections of the orchestra are full of colour and character - the wind and brass players, in particular, make this set such a delightful one.

I also have the Pinnock recording, which contains only the standard 41 symphonies and it is every bit as good. I can really make up my mind which I prefer, although Pinnock's reading of symphony No. 40 is sublime - particularly in the beautiful slow movement. However, Hogwood and his Academy of Ancient Music play almost all these symphonies with great gusto and style. As another reviewer said, Hogwood allows his musicians to simply play the music and let Mozart's music live in a natural and "organic" way, with minimal interference from the conductor.

Each work tells a story and the recordings of these works remind us of the fact that Mozart wasn't some sort of proto-Beethoven, rather, his music was more like the culmination of many 18th century currents, trends and ideas - "Baroque music on steroids", even! ;-))

This is a set which is very close to my heart and I consider it one of the treasures in my home. I return to it often - at any time of the day or night.

Indispensable .......2004-11-13

This set is indispensable for anyone who seriously wants to have a complete Mozart collection. It contains every symphonic work written by Mozart, including second versions of certain late symphonies.

The playing is "alive" and fresh, the sound is full, warm and clear. What you get is not Hogwood's "interpretation"...but music and just the music, this guy understands Mozart and just lets these musicians play with joy, spontaneity, meaning and feeling. I didn't think they would be so good! There are times when you don't even notice that they're playing on period instruments.

This set is completely satisfying and I'm glad I own it. It's a pricy box set, but totally worth it...try to find it used and bask in the glory of Mozart.

Ok, but...........2004-06-30

I will qualify this review by saying that I have not by any means listened to every single symphony on this recording. I listened to several of the symphonies from this set for a conducting class, and spent a considerable amount of time comparing them with other recordings for phrase structure, dynamics, etc. My conclusion:

Overall, I am personally just not impressed by Hogwood. His handling of the phrases is rough, and the music just doesn't seem polished. Occasionally the balance is questionable (for example, several clarinet passages in the first movement of the 39th stick out), and at other points I get the impression that he put little planning into the organization of strong and weak bars. Perhaps it is mostly personal preference, but other conductors really do sound better.

I think that this recording has its place, as there are few boxed sets of all of Mozart's symphonies available, and certainly there was some groundbreaking period instrument work here. I would, however, strongly recommend that anyone considering purchasing this set actually obtain a copy first from a library to decide if this is really what they want.

A milestone set, and worthy of all praise.......2004-04-29

In the 1970s, the Hungarian conductor Antal Dorati recorded all of the 104 symphonies of Franz Joseph Haydn (Amazon asin # B0000042DP). The era of "epic" integral collections was ignited. Many thought the vast majority of Haydn's symphonies would be boring, cookie-cutter works rolled out in almost assembly-line fashion. But Dorati, with excellent help from the Haydn scholar H. C. Robbins Landon, would disprove all of that, and show that there is not a dud in the whole collection. And Dorati's readings have stood the test of time.

Dorati's achievement marked the beginning of an ea that in the next 2 decades would see complete integral sets of the works of every major composer, culminating ultimately in the 1980s with Phiips complete Mozart Edition.

Shortly after Dorati finished his massive project, the Academy of Ancient Music embarked on a complete traversal of all of the "symphonies" of Mozart on period instruments, the currently reviewed item. Not just the traditional 41, but also many lesser know works. More fascinating music was unearthed. But, the milestone of this set is not the discovery of forgotten masterpieces. That had become a common daily occurence. It was the period instrument movement instead that was set free by Hogwood's achievement. With this project, Hogwood did for period instruments what Dorati did for integral cycles of lesser known works. The period instrument movement had been around for a long time. But it never quite could hit "mainstream" until Hogwood made these recordings. And ever since, period instruments have flourished.

There are better recordings of many of the works in this set, both on period instruments and conventional instruments. But the consistency that runs through the set brings an appreciation for Mozart's Symphonies that is unparallelled.

Customer Reviews:

Great SACD-but breathing into the microphone????.......2003-11-19

The performance is impeccable and the fidelity of this SACD is excellent. Actually, there's so much detail you can hear someone (conductor, sound engineer?) constantly breathing into the microphone, which becomes really obnoxious during the more quiet parts of the performance (thus the 4 star rating).

Exemplary Mozart performance.......2002-01-18

George Szell's Mozart recordings are legendary, and this SACD verson presents a sampling of them in the best possible light. The previous reviewer was evidently referring to the Walter disc in this Sony series, but his remarks apply with equal force to this disc. The untampered DSD transfers preserve the aural profile of the master tapes and recreate faithfully the acoustic of Severance Hall -- a bit dry for some tastes, but allowing every strand of the musical texture to be heard. The transfer is so good you can ever hear pages being turned in unison and Szell audibly urging his forces on (e.g., in the finale to No. 40). Very highly recommended.

Charming & Splendid in every way.......2001-11-07

The performance and sonic of this SACD will make you sit still on your listening chair, especially if you're a real fan of Mozart's music. Very good microphone placement. The CD version in Bruno Walter: The Edition sounds dry, opaque and blocked up in comparison. On SACD, it's very integrated, liquid and lots of high frequency information, breath and air. You can have a sence of the recording location's space from wall to wall and from ceiling to floor. Recommended.

Mozart: Symphonies 35, 36, 38, 39, 40, 41 / Karajan

Average customer rating:

Mozart Magic
Great performance
Karajan conducts Mozart
Mozart's Late Symphonies
A nice disc at a good price.

Mozart: Symphonies 35, 36, 38, 39, 40, 41 / Karajan
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Herbert von Karajan , and Berlin Philharmonic
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Brahms: The Complete Symphonies / Karajan, Berlin PO
Mozart: The Great Piano Concertos, Vol. 1
Tchaikovsky: Symphonies no 4, 5, & 6 / Karajan, Berlin PO
Mozart: The Great Piano Concertos, Vol. 2
Mozart: Violin Concertos

ASIN: B000001GY8
Release Date: 1997-07-15

Tracks:

Symphony No. 35 In D Major 'Haffner' K.385: 1. Allegro con spirito
Symphony No. 35 In D Major 'Haffner' K.385: 2. (Andante)
Symphony No. 35 In D Major 'Haffner' K.385: 3. Menuetto
Symphony No. 35 In D Major 'Haffner' K.385: 4. Finale: Presto
Symphony No.36 In C Major 'Linz' K.425: 1. Adagio - Allegro spiritoso
Symphony No.36 In C Major 'Linz' K.425: 2. Andante
Symphony No.36 In C Major 'Linz' K.425: 3. Menuetto
Symphony No.36 In C Major 'Linz' K.425: 4. Presto
Symphony no.38 in D major K.504: 1. Adagio - Allegro
Symphony No.38 In D Major 'Prague' K.504: 2. Andante
Symphony No.38 In D Major 'Prague' K.504: 3. (Finale:) Presto

Tracks:

Symphony No. 39 In E Flat Major K.543: 1. Adagio - Allegro
Symphony No. 39 In E Flat Major K.543: 2. Andante con moto
Symphony No. 39 In E Flat Major K.543: 3. Menuetto: Allegretto
Symphony No. 39 In E Flat Major K.543: 4. Finale: Allegro
Symphony No. 40 In G Minor K. 550: 1. Molto allegro
Symphony No. 40 In G Minor K. 550: 2. Andante
Symphony No. 40 In G Minor K. 550: 3. Menuetto: Allegretto
Symphony No. 40 In G Minor K. 550: 4. Allegro assai
Symphony No. 41 In C Major 'Jupiter' K. 551: 1. Allegro vivace
Symphony No. 41 In C Major 'Jupiter' K. 551: 2. Andante cantabile
Symphony No. 41 In C Major 'Jupiter' K. 551: 3. Menuetto: Allegretto
Symphony No. 41 In C Major 'Jupiter' K. 551: 4. Molto allegro

Customer Reviews:

Mozart Magic.......2007-03-11

Excellent recording quality as well as fine musical content makes this set a delight.

Great performance.......2006-10-29

Nowadays there are an increasing number of recordings of Mozart with original instruments. I think it is a valid procedure, but the traditional executions are still worth hearing. Being first-class works, Böhm and Karajan's recordings are the most easily available. Karajan's is more dynamic, a desirable quality of an execution of Mozart. Conducting the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Karajan returns to the composer with whom he began his career. It is a superb work.

Karajan conducts Mozart.......2006-07-25

Herbert Von Karajan's reading of these late Mozart symphonies respects the "small orchestra" feel of these pieces while expressing the drama they contain with his signature "big orchestra" sound.
Very worthy performances, especiallly the "Haffner".

Mozart's Late Symphonies.......2005-12-22

Mozart's late symphonies is music treasure and should be appreciated by any classical music lover. I have two favorite versions of these works. One is conducted by Karajan, the other is by Sir Charles Mackerras.

To make comparison, the highly praised Mackerras's interpretation does not necessarily beat Karajan's. Take No. 39 for example, I think Karajan's interpretation is better. Mackerras's is somewhat too fast and Karajan's rhythm is dance-like and quite appropriate. However, Mackerras's No. 40 is more impressive. Karajan's No. 41 is grand and Mackerras's is stylic. Karajan's first movement of No. 38 is more exciting than Mackerras's.

Karajan is an essential Salzburg Austrian and breathed Mozart's music air since child. His Mozart is one of the most Mozartean: Style, singing and dance-like rhythm, which are fully expressed in these CDs. The sound of 70's Berlin Philharmonic is perfect.

A nice disc at a good price........2005-09-24

I think the Bohm set is better, but I really like Karajan's interpretations. I am a fan of "big-band" versions of Mozart's late symphonies, and if you are too, this is a pretty good set. However, I feel like there are better versions of each symphony available on other recordings (i.e. Bohm's 36th, Bernstein's 39th). Still, this set sounds amazing with the new original bit image processing, with outstanding "space" in between each piece of the orchestra. And, since I am a sucker for Karajan, even when he hams up a Classical Era symphony, I simply couldn't resist. There are better versions, but as a cycle it is an enjoyable 2-disc set.

Mozart: Symphonies (8 CD-250th Anniversary Edition)

Average customer rating:

Harnoncourt brings a little gitty up to Mozart!

Mozart: Symphonies (8 CD-250th Anniversary Edition)

Manufacturer: Warner Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Mozart: Early Symphonies, Vol. 2
Mozart: Early Symphonies
Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies; 7 Overtures
Haydn: The Paris Symphonies Nos. 82-87
Schubert: The String Quartets

ASIN: B000AOVKH8
Release Date: 2006-01-10

Tracks:

I. Allegro - Ton Koopman
II. Andante - Ton Koopman
III. Allegro - Ton Koopman
I. Allegro - Ton Koopman
II. Andantino Grazioso - Ton Koopman
III. Menuetto - Ton Koopman
IV. Molto Allegro - Ton Koopman
I. Allegro - Ton Koopman
II. Andante - Ton Koopman
III. Menuetto - Trio - Ton Koopman
IV. Allegro (Rondeau) - Ton Koopman
V. Andantino Grazioso - Ton Koopman
I. Allegro Assai - Ton Koopman
II. Andantino Grazioso - Ton Koopman
III. Presto Assai - Ton Koopman

Tracks:

I. Allegro - Ton Koopman
II. Andante - Ton Koopman
III. Menuetto & Trio - Ton Koopman
IV. Allegro - Ton Koopman
I. Allegro Spiritoso - Ton Koopman
II. Andantino Grazioso - Ton Koopman
III. Presto Assai - Ton Koopman
I. Allegro Spiritoso - Ton Koopman
II. Andantino GRazioso - Ton Koopman
III. Allegro - Ton Koopman
I. Allegro - Ton Koopman
II. Andantino GRazioso - Ton Koopman
III. Presto - Ton Koopman

Tracks:

No.1 In D Major - Scottish Chamber Orchestra
No.2 In A Major - Scottish Chamber Orchestra
No.3 In C Major - Scottish Chamber Orchestra
No.4 In G Major - Scottish Chamber Orchestra
No.5 In B Flat Major - Scottish Chamber Orchestra
No.6 In D Major - Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Ouverture: Allegro - Scottish Chamber Orchestra
I. Largo - Scottish Chamber Orchestra
II. Gavotte - Scottish Chamber Orchestra
III. Andantino & IV. Allegro - Scottish Chamber Orchestra
V. Larghetto - Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Vi. Gavotte Joyeuse: Allegro - Scottish Chamber Orchestra
VII. Adagio - Scottish Chamber Orchestra
VIII. Senza Indicazione Di Tempo - Scottish Chamber Orchestra
IX. Gavotte Gracieuse - Scottish Chamber Orchestra
X. Pantomime - Scottish Chamber Orchestra
XI. Passepied - Scottish Chamber Orchestra
XII. Andante - Scottish Chamber Orchestra
XIII. Gavotte - Scottish Chamber Orchestra
I. Allegro Con Brio
II. Andante
III. Menuetto
IV. Allegro
I. Molto Presto
II. Andantino Grazioso
III. Allegro

Tracks:

I. Allegro Spiritoso
II. Andante
III. Menuetto: Allegretto
IV. Presto
I. Allegro Moderato
II. Andante
III. Menuetto
IV. Allegro Con Spirito
I. Molto Allegro
II. Andantino Con Moto
III. Menuetto
IV. Presto

Tracks:

I. Allegro Assai
II. Andante
III. Allegro
II. Andante
I. Allegro Assai
II. Andante Moderato
III. Menuetto
IV. Allegro Assai
I. Allegro Vivace
II. Andante Di Molto, Piu Tosto Allegretto
III. Allegro

Tracks:

I. Allegro Spiritoso
II. Andante
III. Primo Tempo
I. Allegro Con Spirito
II. Andante
III. Menuetto
IV. Presto
I. Adagio - Allegro Spiritoso
II. Andante
III. Menuetto
IV. Presto

Tracks:

I. Adagio - Allegro
II. Andante
III. Presto
I. Adagio - Allegro
II. Andante Con Moto
III. Menuetto: Allegretto
IV. Finale: Allegro

Tracks:

I. Molto Allegro
II. Andante
III. Menuetto: Allegretto
IV. Allegro Assai
I. Allegro Vivace
II. Andante Cantabile
III. Menuetto: Allegretto
IV. Molto Allegro

Customer Reviews:

Harnoncourt brings a little gitty up to Mozart!.......2006-11-21

After acquiring Harnoncourt's 2 vols (4 cds) of Mozart's early symphonies, I noticed this collection. This is not quite a complete Mozart symphony cycle. It is lacking some of the early Symphonies. Harnoncourt's contribution to this collection is found on the last 5 and a half cds and covers Mozart's middle and later symphonies. So, by combining the early with the later I get an almost complete Mozart Symphony cycle conducted by Harnoncourt. There are a few of the middle symphonies that are not touched by Harnoncourt's early volumes or this present set. I found them on vinyl at Ebay or here at Amazon marketplace for outrageous sums of money (more than this present set!). It looks like what I have will have to do.

When I think of Beethoven, I think of his 9th symphony and when it was performed, he could not hear a single note because he was deaf! When I think of Mozart, I am picturing an 8 year old who caused his dad to retire early from music composition! Harnoncourt writes that as an 8 year old, Mozart was already head and shoulders above just about any composer on the continent of Europe. Mozart's 40th and especially his 41st symphonies are true epiphanies. Yet the sound heard in these is the same as that by 8 year old Mozart! Mozart did not start composing and then 20 years later develop his voice. I love Mozart's music for the beauty, the balance and the mathematical precision. I love Beethoven's for the power and the thunder. Yet, who can top the beauty of the softer movements in his symphonies such as the 3rd in his 9th?

My standard for Mozart's symphonies (his last seven) and Beethoven's Nine are found on vinyl conducted by Bohm. I bought the DG Bohm recordings on vinyl back in the 70s and was so pleased with both the recording quality and the superb playing I did not have any other renditions (except Karajan) until recently.

There is a complete Mozart Symphony DG collection by Bohm that has been ported over to digital. But I was a little curious what a fresh, digital recording would sound like, how it would stack up to Bohm. I was also curious to compare the smaller orchestra with period instruments to the full orchestra with modern instruments used by Bohm. I also bought the complete Pinnock Mozart cycle recorded with a smaller orchestra than Bohm's and period instruments. Of the two, Pinnock sounds more like Bohm than Harnoncourt.

The period instruments/smaller orchestras have a little more harpsicord and not as full an orchestra sound. If its too much harpsicord, I end up pinching myself to make sure I did not accidentally play Vivaldi or Teleman. The less than full sound is more chamber orchestra style than full orchestra. I can hear more of the individual instruments and their resonating than the blended sound of the fuller orchestra. Pinnock supposedly used 20 to 30 players. But while Bohm may have had a "full" orchestra, it certainly is not full in the Wagner sense of full. I have been to concerts that featured both Mozart and later Romantic composers. The Orchestra pit seemed a little less than half full when its Mozart and bursting at the sides when its Wagner or Mahler. I enjoy the "full" orchstra sound and I really like the smaller chamber type sound. I do not live in an "either/or" universe. Buy both! No classical music Nazi can tell you otherwise. Its all about Freedom, baby!

I am still digesting Harnoncourt's rendition of Mozart's last 6 symphonies. The tempos and the overall playing sounds much different than Bohm or Pinnock. The tempos seem to not be as consistently precise and they seem to shift, that is why I my title says "Mozart with a little gitty up." That being said, I enjoyed both Pinnock and Harnoncourt. I do not regret for a moment shelling out close to $50 for this set!

Bohm's analog records sound good. These didgital recordings sound really GOOD! PURE, maybe even a little too sanitized. The period instrument movenent is trying to approximate the 1700s sound with Mozart, yet you will never hear a cough or any other sound other than the instruments producing music. This includes the bow sounds when the bow comes on or off the instrument. These Bass bowing sounds are left on Karjan's DVD Beethoven Symphony Cycle. To really approximate the 1700s, we need a group of 2nd rate musicians playing on third or fourth rate instruments in concert halls with less than idealic acoustics. If we are going to get real, lets really get real. I bet Mozart would have walked a half mile barefoot over shards of broken glass to have his music played by orchestras such as the BPO or the Vienna Phil conducted by Bohm. And I will bet dollars to donuts any day that any of our smaller city orchestras such as Pasadena CA or Omaha Nebraska would blow the socks off of just about all of the top orchestras of Mozart's day. Maybe the period instrumenters should break out the old analog recording equipment like the Musical Heritage Society from 30 years ago and press their recordings on 78s or 10 inch LPs. So, while they may be using instruments similar to those used in the 1700s, we are still getting a very professional modern sound and recording. Don't kid yourself that if you buy Pinnock or Harnoncourt Mozart Symphony recordings, when you listen, you will be suddenly teleported as a classical music Yankee back to King Arthur's Court.

I converted Pinnock and this present 250th anniversary edition set to CD-R mp3s at 192 kps. 90 to 100 kps is supposedly FM radio quality and anything above 170 kps only your dog will enjoy. 192kps will yield a little over 8 hours of music on a 702 mb CD-R. I can play a cd at work and let it run all day long filling my life with the world's greatest music.

I still am still debating the period instrument movement. Yet, the music is still MOZART! MOZART! Bohm (died circa 1981), Harnoncourt, and Pinnock are superb conductors and their musicians are top notch. None of these conductors nor their orchestras screw up Mozart! You may disagree, yet let me point out that these gents and their orchestras have filled concert halls for decades and have very loyal followings of musically satiated listeners. Believe it or not, sometimes 10,000 Frenchmen are not wrong.

You may or may not like Mozart with a little "gitty up" but you surely will not get typhoid fever from listening! Chill out, it is still Mozart! Old Wolfgang himself were he alive would be sitting front row, center aisile with a big bag of chips and a cold Tecate having the time of his life listening to Harnoncourt and his Orchestra.

Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 39, 40, 41; Eine Kleine Nachtmusik; Serenata notturna

Average customer rating:

Great recording of Karajan's rendition of Mozart

Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 39, 40, 41; Eine Kleine Nachtmusik; Serenata notturna

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos. 4, 5, 6
R. Strauss: Zarathustra; Don Juan; 4 Last Songs, etc.
Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 5, 6 & 9
Ravel, Debussy, Saint-Saëns: Orchestral Works
Brahms: 4 Symphonies

ASIN: B00008CLNT
Release Date: 2003-05-13

Tracks:

1. Adagio - Allegro
2. Andante Con Moto
3. Menuetto. Allegretto - Trio
4. Finale. Allegro
1. Molto Allegro
2. Andante
3. Menuetto. Allegretto - Trio
4. Allegro Assai
1. Allegro Vivace
2. Andante Cantabile
3. Menuetto. Allegretto - Trio
4. Molto Allegro

Tracks:

1. Allegro
2. Romance. Andante
3. Menuetto. Allegretto - Trio
4. Rondo. Allegro
1. Allegro
2. Thema (With 6 Variations). Andante
3. Menuetto - Trio
4. Adagio
5. Menuetto - Trio I - Trio II
6. Rondo. Allegro
1. Marcia. Maestoso
2. Menuetto - Trio
3. Rondeau. Allegretto

Customer Reviews:

Great recording of Karajan's rendition of Mozart.......2006-11-20

All of these pieces, (the three last symphonies, the serenades, and Eine Kleine Nachtmusic) are exemplary of Mozart's later compositions, which have much more depth than his earlier works. The recording quality of this CD is very high, and Karajan's interpretations of the music is very, very good. The only complaint I have is a minor topic, but that he decides in some places not to take repeats (for example, the expositions of the 2nd and 4th movements of symphony no. 40) but since the repeat isn't sooo important, it doesn't make that much of a difference (and some music is better when made shorter anyway!). I've never heard a bad recording under the baton of any conductor with an orchestra as prominent as the Berlin Philharmonic, so adding all of these points together, chances are, if you decide to buy this recording, you should be very happy you did.

Average customer rating:

Maag finds Mozart revolutionary
Maag and Mozart
Maag did it better 35 years ago
Fine performances by a Mozart expert.

Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 38 & 39

Manufacturer: Arts Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 31, 33, 34
Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 32, 35 & 36
Mozart: Symphpny No. 40; Symphony No. 41 "Jupiter"

ASIN: B000005AR3
Release Date: 1997-05-13

Tracks:

Symphony No. 38 In D Major K.504 'Prague': I - Adagio - Allegro
Symphony No. 38 In D Major K.504 'Prague': II - Andante
Symphony No. 38 In D Major K.504 'Prague': III - Finale: Presto
Symphony No. 39 In E Flat Major K.543: I - Adagio - Allegro
Symphony No. 39 In E Flat Major K.543: II - Andante con moto
Symphony No. 39 In E Flat Major K.543: III - Menuetto
Symphony No. 39 In E Flat Major K.543: IV - Allegro

Customer Reviews:

Maag finds Mozart revolutionary.......2007-03-24

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 - 1791): Symphonies No. 38 "Prague" K. 504 and No. 39 K. 543. Performed by the Orchestra di Padova e del Veneto, directed by Peter Maag. Recorded at the Auditorium Modigliani in Padua in February and March 1996. Released in 1996 as Arts 47364-2. Total time: 61'54".

Over the last decades it has been fashionable to come to Mozart via the Baroque and the galant style of the mid-18th century, playing his symphonies quite fast and with a light touch, emphasizing Mozart's playfulness and humour as well as his operatic genius. The late Peter Maag, a long-standing Mozart expert, returned to the recording business in his old age to repudiate this approach. He presents us here with a Mozart who is definitely a spiritual relative and precursor of Beethoven rather than a child of Empfindsamkeit. For we have here massive opening movements taken at a comparatively leisurely pace, dramatic outbursts from the winds and a transparency of texture that allows us to hear every detail of scores that Maag obviously finds revolutionary and, in places, daring. The Mozart we learn to love with Maag is not the playful childhood prodigy looking up to Johann Christian Bach, it is an earnest, self-confident composer of genius who in fact dares to think the unthinkable. Both the Prague and Symphony No. 39 impress here as works that are anything but light entertainment - they fully lead us to expect Beethoven's symphonies.

The production is, sound-wise, exemplary. Unfortunately, that cannot be said for the accompanying notes, at least in the edition I have, where the author reaches such "heights" as following statement: "The very fact of two versions of the Symphony K. 550 (with and without clarinets) is sufficient evidence of the fact that this piece was composed during the composer's lifetime." Did somebody suggest that he wrote it from the grave?

Interestingly, there is quite a considerable contrast between this version and the Naxos production made a few years earlier in the Slovakian capital Bratislava with the Capella Istropolitana, directed by Barry Wordsworth. The Naxos recording equipment cannot compare with this fine Arts production, but musically I still find Wordsworth's interpretation well worth hearing. Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 34, 35 & 39 Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 38, 29 & 30

Maag and Mozart.......2003-09-18

This is as fine a Mozart release as you're ever likely to find. Coming late in his career, Peter Maag's work with the orchestra of Padua and Venice resulted in a truly great Beethoven symphony cycle as well as four cds devoted to Mozart's later symphonies, all available on the Arts label. Expert direction (highly musical and well-informed historically), a very fine, classically balanced orchestra and excellent digital recording add up to a cd which every Mozart lover should investigate. Peter Maag was one of the more important conductors of his day and he has left us a fine and unexpected legacy of recordings. His Mozart is unbeatable. Hear it for yourself. Strongly recommended.

Maag did it better 35 years ago.......2002-02-27

This recording isn't bad. But Maag's best outing with the
Prague Symphony was that classic London Blueback from the mid-1960s with the London Symphony. It is still the best Prague I've ever heard, and I wish to GOD someone would re-release it. It's fantastic. This current outing doesn't compare, alas.

If you want a great Prague, try Charles Mackerras on Telarc. For stylish, unmannered modern-instrument performance, it's hard to beat. Until that classic Maag recording comes back.

Fine performances by a Mozart expert........2000-09-06

Peter Maag has been an outstanding Mozart conductor for four decades. He is quite possibly the finest Mozart conductor living today. The performances on this CD are consistent with Maag's long record of doing full justice to the music of one of music's greatest composers. No recording of these works by a "star" conductor with a big-name orchestra will contain finer performances of these two symphonies.

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

Music Review

Style: Finest Lounge Music [Import]

Zemlinsky: String Quartets

Zelenka: Lamentations of Jeremiah

Complete Ohio Sessions [Import]

Timeline [Soundtrack]

Y Seguimos Siendooo! Who? Hoo? Who?

Zoom

WXJL Presents Music for the Masses Volume 2

World Became the World [Limited Edition] [Import]

Ullmann: Slawische Rhapsodie/Der zerbrochene Krug

XLO/Reference Recordings: Test/Burn-In CD [Enhanced] [Gold CD]

Yo! Hot Latin Funk from el Barrio

Who Tha Hell is Slicc

Toscanini: The April 4, 1954 Final Concert

Music of Styx: Live With Symphony Orchestra