Search - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Murray Perahia, English Chamber Orchestra :: Mozart: The Piano Concertos; Rondos, K.382 & 386 [Box Set]

Mesmerizing

08/04/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first bought the Decca set by Ashkenazy for 2 reasons. One, I am a fan of Ashkenazy and I think he plays superbly. Two, I heard that Decca gave Ashkenazy a superb recorded sound. So that was my first set of Mozart Piano Concertos. In the meantime, I kept hearing praise about Perahia's set - how wonderful it is and that it is listed on Gramophone's list of 100 greatest classical recordings of all time. I think very highly of that list simply because many of my favorite recordings are there - and they are my favorites precisely because they are simply fantastic - Klemperer's Fidelio, Klieber's Beethoven 5 & 7, Solti's Ring, Gilel's Brahms Piano Concerto, Klemperer's German Requiem, Solti's Salome, Furtwangler's Beethoven 9, Giulini's Don Giovanni. So I thought to myself, let's put Perahia to the test. I fell madly in love with Perahia's reading immediately. My goodness - if I thought Ashkenazy is outstanding, Perahia is simply divine!! I rarely come across such beautiful and mesmerizing playing. Perahia's Mozart Piano Concerto is simply in the 'legend' league, standing proudly beside all the greatest recorded classical works in the world. His playing is simply gorgeous - beautiful poetic insights and astounding technique. I was mesmerized from start to finish, completely absorbed in his playing. Ashkenazy is superb but somehow, Perahia gives every concerto that extra indefinable special touch.This is one of those classical sets that I would put in the 'must-own' class for any classical music lover. You will be enchanted from first to last by the special talents of Perahia. To put it in other words, Perahia is to Mozart Piano Concerto what Kirsten Flagstad and Birgit Nilsson are to Wagner, what Joan Sutherland is to Bel Canto singing, what Rostropovich is to the cello repertoir, what Artur Rubinstein is to Chopin."

Mid-Price steal

Joseph Arnaud Wiehe | 06/18/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"At full price this set of Mozart Concertos was arguably the top choice available (penguin guide giving the set its highest rating) This current re-issue at mid-price is an absolute steal. Some may have reservations regarding the removal of program notes, but in truth these are rarely if ever read and are therefore unncessary anyway. Besides, one can access a vast amount of information about these concertos in books or off the Internet if required.In my oppinion this is the most credible set of Mozart piano concertos available and should form a firm place in every classical music lovers collection."

Perahia is Masterful

Kenneth James Michael MacLean | Ann Arbor, MI USA | 01/27/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am an eclectic music lover who listens mostly to jazz, and some classical, so I am not an expert on the Mozart Piano Concertos. Nevertheless, I highly recommend this boxed set by Perahia. This pianist is a flawless player with an incredibly light touch, but there is meaning within the excellent technique. I hate musicians who just play the notes, going through the motions without feeling the music and imparting that feeling to the listener, but Perahia is not one of these; he is smooth and expressive at the same time. I like these recordings better than the Barenboim series.
The ECO is in fine form and unlike the BPO, imparts a lush but not heavy sound, perfectly complementing the pianist. There seems to be no lack of direction from the conductor, but perhaps that is because the ECO has performed the series with at least 2 other pianists. I have been listening to these recordings with my headphones on, so as to hear every note; the sound quality is excellent and one never tires of listening; one day while writing I listened to the entire set twice in succession, enjoying every minute!
This boxed set not only sounds wonderful but it is wonderfully priced, a can't miss selection if you love the music of Mozart."