Rondeau (Andante grazioso - Allegro ma non troppo)
Allegro
Adagio
Rondo (Allegro)
Allegro maestoso
Andante
Presto
Fans of Anne-Sophie Mutter know what to expect of her. Her technique is dazzling, and she takes an individualistic, Romantic approach to whatever she plays --occasionally inundating the music with more weight than is neces... more »sary--and her tone is luminous and grand. This 2-CD set of all of Mozart's Violin Concerti and the fantastic Sinfonia Concertante K. 364 (wherein she's joined by violist Yuri Bashmet) exemplifies all of these traits. If you like your Mozart airy and delicate you've come to the wrong place; if you like some fine showy virtuosity in fast movements and long, lush statements in the slow movements, you'll be perfectly comfortable. And indeed the slow movements are slow--occasionally hypnotically so--but they're never less than stunningly played. K. 364 is ravishing, particularly in the two energetic outer movements, with Bashmet's gorgeous tone a real attraction. This is very sophisticated Mozart playing. --Robert Levine« less
Fans of Anne-Sophie Mutter know what to expect of her. Her technique is dazzling, and she takes an individualistic, Romantic approach to whatever she plays --occasionally inundating the music with more weight than is necessary--and her tone is luminous and grand. This 2-CD set of all of Mozart's Violin Concerti and the fantastic Sinfonia Concertante K. 364 (wherein she's joined by violist Yuri Bashmet) exemplifies all of these traits. If you like your Mozart airy and delicate you've come to the wrong place; if you like some fine showy virtuosity in fast movements and long, lush statements in the slow movements, you'll be perfectly comfortable. And indeed the slow movements are slow--occasionally hypnotically so--but they're never less than stunningly played. K. 364 is ravishing, particularly in the two energetic outer movements, with Bashmet's gorgeous tone a real attraction. This is very sophisticated Mozart playing. --Robert Levine
"In listening to this album, one inevitably draws comparisons with Mutter's earlier recordings. Her DG album of the 3rd and 5th Mozart Violin Concertos with von Karajan had the unmistakable freshness of youth, with clean lines and impeccable intonation. That remains one of my favourite albums to date. As for her EMI recordings of the 2nd and 4th with Muti, and of the Sinfonia concertante with Giuranna on viola, I can't say that they ever really "spoke" to me.
Which is why this album is a must-have for the anyone's CD collection. I must admit that given the patchiness of Mutter's recent recordings, I was slightly apprehensive about this album. However, I was pleased to hear that Mutter has lost none of the technical prowess that I so admire her for, and that while this album does not have the childish charm of the von Karajan recording, it commends itself in other respects.
As Mutter says in the CD liner notes, she plays with the London Philharmonic as a first among equals, and indeed, these are much more "interactive" interpretations than the standard offerings of a solo instrument concerto with the orchestra in a supporting role.
While still prone to taking liberties with the tempi, Mutter is much more restrained here than in her recent recordings, and plays the slow passages beautifully, and the fast passages with energy and technical assuredness.
The Sinfonia concertante is especially brilliant, and the pairing with Yuri Bashmet is inspired. It is worth buying this 2CD set just for that recording! I have always been able to listen to Mozart "in the background", but this rendition of the Sinfonia Concertante is of "stop what you're doing and listen" quality.
It has been a while since I have been enthusiastic about a Mutter release (the last one that got me really excited was the Brahms with Masur), and this recording reminds me what a brilliant violinist she is. She's been performing for 30 years (!), and let's hope for many more.
"
BEAUTIFUL
GEORGE RANNIE | DENVER, COLORADO United States | 01/18/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have never heard Mutter's earlier recordings of Mozart's Violin Concertos. Therefore, go to previous reviews on this board for comparison of this new recording to her old one(s). I do, however, own many recordings of these works by other violinist. To me, this new recording by Annie-Sophie as violinist and conductor is simply beautiful if not down right gorgeous. The tone of her playing is simply beautiful. To me, she always allows Mozart to come through very clearly not allowing her technique and powers as a violinist to smother Mozart's wonderful melodies. I truly was moved by this recording. A lovely example is the Sinfonia Concertante K. 364 (wherein she's joined by violist Yuri Bashmet). That performance moved me to tears.
For some beautiful Mozart playing (DO ignore the circa 1955 Old Hollywood glamour photos on the outside and inside of the album; I guess it does sell classical albums!) buy this album by one of today's top violinist at the peak of her powers.
By the way the London Philharmonic Orchestra play wonderfully and the sound is first-rate.
"
One of the most beutiful Mozart ever
Scordatura | 12/22/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I compared this recording with Manze, Grumiaux, and Perlman's recordings.
First, no. 1 and 2. are the outstading performance with gorgeous sound.
Regarding No. 3, I prefer her earlier recording to it in especially in first movement. But, 2nd and 3rd movement are really great and probably second to none.
No. 4 and No. 5 is also great.
Sinfonia Concertante, I bet nobody else can do better than Mutter and Bashmet.
My suggestion :
If you wanna background music --> Manze OK.
If you wanna more classical music --> Grumiaux
If you love sweetier sound --> Perlman
If you love song (I think this recording shows more operatic and more lirical aspects in Mozart musics than other recordings do) and really want to be absorbed into music --> Mutter !
"
Lyrical, Powerful, Moving Mozart
Professor Donald Mitchell | Thanks for Providing My Reviews over 97,000 Helpfu | 03/15/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Every so often you find an almost perfect performance and recording that leaves you smiling and shaking your head in awe: Mutter Mozart -- The Violin Concertos and Sinfonia Concertante is definitely one of those.
Ms. Mutter's power, range, and stylistic sophistication are at their acme. She soars ethereally where it's required, sings sweetly in slow rhythms, and pushes forward like a commander where that's what's called for. The London Philharmonic is beautifully in concert with her every move and timing. Yuri Bashmet's viola in Sinfonia Concertante is equally sublime.
For those who first knew Ms. Mutter's Mozart playing when she was but a budding teen, it's fun to see how much her skill and interpretive abilities have expanded in 30 years. It's astonishing to see someone with that much experience can still appear quite young. And of course, there's the irony to appreciate of Ms. Mutter now being older than Mozart was at his death.
Above all this is a confident performance by players who know Mozart well, understand what they want to accomplish, and are in complete accord with what needs to be done. The bright optimism and energy of Mozart are beautifully displayed . . . reminding us with wonder of how his own life was often filled with problems even as he produced such astonishingly bright works one right after the other.
If you like Ms. Mutter and Mozart, I encourage you to purchase this two CD-set and the four CD-set, Mozart: The Violin Sonatas."
Buy it if you love mozart and violin
Mayank | Pasadena, CA USA | 01/03/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I bought this CD set a couple of months back. I'm glad to to say that I've enjoyed it throughly so far. I also have a copy of the rather polished recording of Violin Concertos 3 and 5 that Mutter made with Karajan, and I find the new one seems to have greater energy and emotions. Both the set of recordings are to be cherished in their own right.
The Sinfonia Concertante is to die for! I've not heard a better recording, especially the Presto."
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1
