Search - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, pianist Emil Gilels, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra :: Mozart Piano Concertos Nos. 26 "Coronation"(Vasary/BPO) & 27 (Gilels/VPO/Boehm)

One beautiful Mozart rendition, one a bit less so

Ronald van Vollenhoven | Sweden | 02/08/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This CD contains two Mozart piano concerti recorded by two different conductors, soloists, and orchestras. The results are dissimilar.

Vásáry as soloist and conductor to the Berliner Philharmonic is outstanding in the piano concerto nr. 26, one of the most-often played Mozart concerti, if not, in my opinion, the most enjoyable. But Vásáry makes the most of it, beautifully articulating both the obvious and the hidden gems in one of Mozart's top works.

Böhm and Gilles with the Vienna Philharmonic are not as impressive in the 27th piano concerto in B-flat major - which is sad because this work deserves better, being a somewhat deeper, more intricate composition. Perhaps in deference to this fact they choose very slow tempi: while this does succeed in bringing out some aspects, it robs the piece of much of its spontaneous charm. While technically in order, this approach fails on the esthetic level (and surely Mozart's own tempi were a good bit higher).

The quality of this DG recording is excellent."