Concerto No. 5 In A, K. 219: Rondeau (Tempo Di Menuetto)
Sinfonia Concertante In E Flat, K. 364 For Violin, Viola And Orchestra: Allegro Maestoso
Sinfonia Concertante In E Flat, K. 364 For Violin, Viola And Orchestra: Andante
Sinfonia Concertante In E Flat, K. 364 For Violin, Viola And Orchestra: Presto
At the ripe old age of 19 Mozart wrote five violin concertos, and they represent his coming of age as a composer of orchestral music. From here on, it's basically one masterpiece after another. Though not difficult works, ... more »technically speaking, they partake in full measure of Mozart's uniquely sensual brand of melody. That means that successful performances must know how to spin out a singing musical line, while at the same time making the most of the rare opportunities for soloistic display. Taste and musicianship are more important qualities than virtuosity, and that makes these pieces ideal vehicles for Arthur Grumiaux's aristocratic temperament and technical polish. --David Hurwitz« less
At the ripe old age of 19 Mozart wrote five violin concertos, and they represent his coming of age as a composer of orchestral music. From here on, it's basically one masterpiece after another. Though not difficult works, technically speaking, they partake in full measure of Mozart's uniquely sensual brand of melody. That means that successful performances must know how to spin out a singing musical line, while at the same time making the most of the rare opportunities for soloistic display. Taste and musicianship are more important qualities than virtuosity, and that makes these pieces ideal vehicles for Arthur Grumiaux's aristocratic temperament and technical polish. --David Hurwitz
The best Mozart violin concertos available?and more!
Mike Powers | Woolwich, ME USA | 05/22/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This outstanding Philips Duo compilation is a tremendous bargain for Mozart lovers. It contains all five of Mozart's violin concertos, and, in addition, his Adagio for Violin and Orchestra (K. 261), Rondo for Violin and Orchestra (K. 373), and Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola and Orchestra, (K. 364.) The violin concertos are played by violinist Arthur Grumiaux and the London Symphony Orchestra with breathtaking beauty and an almost perfect classical simplicity and restraint, and convey a sense of Mozartean elegance, virtuosity and passion. Grumiaux teams with the Raymond Leppard and the New Philharmonia Orchestra for the Adagio, Rondo and Sinfonia Concertante (with Arrigo Pellica playing the viola.) The musical results are no less outstanding. Also worth mentioning are the liner notes, which combine an excellent historical overview of the compositions with superb musical commentary. They are among the best I've ever found accompanying a classical CD. This 2-CD set is an absolute winner. It belongs in every classical music lover's collection."
No other recordings needed
PARTHO ROY | Tampa, Florida USA | 09/20/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the complete corpus, minus the Concertone in C, of Mozart's major works for violin and orchestra. Not only will this CD quickly fill that gap in your classical collection, but you will not compromise anything in terms of quality and performance with this all-encompassing CD. Arthur Grumiaux's performance is near-perfect interpretation, combining sensitivity with rousing liveliness, and wit where needed. These are some rather well-noted performances from the 1960s, completely digitally remastered for today's high-tech listener. Personal favorites of mine are the final Rondeaus of Concertos Nos. 2 and 5, and that perennial showpiece, the Sinfonia Concertante, K. 364 (320d) (performed with violist Arrigo Pellicia). Carefully considered performances, executed without a hint of pretension, make this recording the best match for quality, comprehensiveness, and value."
Grumiaux at his finest
Alan Lekan | Boulder, CO | 04/11/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Yet another Philips Mozart DUO that is at the top of the class. Having the legendary Arthur Grumiaux on so many of these Mozart violin collections makes them easy choices. His elegant, refined style and lucious tone (from an amazing 1744 Guanari) were born for Mozart. Just about every major reviewer (Penguin, Gramophone, etc) lists this particular CD in the top two best picks for Mozart's violin concertos, often citing Grumaiux's style as the ideal model for Mozart. The recording sound is exceptional too as is typical for most Philips discs. A superb choice for the violin concertos! A rather unique version of these works come from Baroque specialist, Fabio Biondi (Virgin) which I also liked for different reasons.
An alternative choice would be the intruiguing 5-CD collector's set of Grumiaux's Historic Philips Recordings from 1953-1962 which has these five concertos plus many and some rarer works from Paganini, Mendelssohn, Faure, Ravel, Debussy, Granados, Sarasate and others. 4/5 discs are in mono but the sound is fine really. If you admire this Belgian legend, then this historic set would probably be very special as it shows Grumiaux at his finest in a beautiful and diverse repertoire."
"The artistic personality of Artur Grumiaux was undoubtedly very sober. In comparision with the warmth of a David Oistrakh or the powerful musculature of Heifetz, his golden and flawless intonation was if I may, unique. His sonority and style did not belong to bravura style. He was an accurate and impressive violinist. His Mozart is crystalline and innocent. Once more, his presence in various performances in Prades Festival transformed and even improved his spelling touch. As you know all the artists who participated in this unequal Festival acquired a giant dimension. It is not by mere hazard that names of the height of Joseph Szigeti, Eugene Istomin, Rudolf Serkin, Sandor Vegh, Isaac Stern, William Kapell, Clara Haskill - above their innate skills - experienced Casals' spell. And because of this experience there was an immediate rapport with Clara Haskill and recorded one of the most incredible sets of Mozart `s Sonatas for violin that I' have heard ever.
And, despite his brief existence 1921-1986 his name will be resounding in the world of the violin during years and years. His honesty and integrity , technique and musicianship, self possession and aristocratic feature confer a special honor place. Go and get all what you can about Mozart, Faure Sonatas, his Haendel sonatas for violin, his Debussy Sonata, Guilleme Lekeu, Paganini 4th, and his version of Franck's sonata for violin is one of the most lyrical ever recorded.
An unforgettable artist!
"
End of the road
Bogdan Iliescu | Houston, TX USA | 01/03/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is what I felt when I finally got to listen to these concertos after couple of years of intense searching. Although technically maybe not so difficult as said everywhere, I found them extremely difficult as far as music and 'the ritght tone' goes. Horowitz once said that nowadays people play Mozart like Chopin and vice-versa. And this is true for many of the recordings with violin concertos. None I've listened before really told the story of these concertos. I got as close as I could with Mutter/Karajan and Perlman/Levine. Yet sometimes the violin was to impersonal (Mutter) or the orchestra not quite on the subject (Levine). This Chrismas I finally got to listen to Grumiaux of which I've heard before and let me tell you this: everything you read here is true. Grumiaux is playing the whole Mozart in these concertos. I'd go as far as to say that is is one of the best Mozart 'incarnations' in sound in all recorded music history. He is elegant, wonderful and full of understading phrasing. Everything is there in full range. Colin Davis does, as usual, a great job accompanying an outstanding performance in every aspect. Even those of you who only enjoy a very good recorded sound have all the reasons to be happy. It hardly can get better than this. But Grumiaux deserves all appraisals above all. What he does is extreme and sweet justice to Mozart and to his music."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1
