Search - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Herbert von Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra :: Mozart: Concertos for Clarinet, Oboe & Bassoon

So beautiful, musical, and superior to Karajan's DG Mozart S

Alan Majeska | Bad Axe, MI, USA | 12/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Herbert von Karajan's early 1970s EMI recording of Mozart's oft recorded concertos for Clarinet, Oboe, and Bassoon is one of his better Mozart recordings. The Berlin Philharmonic play like angels, and their musical sense, at non rushed, but never too slow tempos, is very effective and beautiful. Mozart's music is well served, and the clarinet, oboe, and bassoon soloists are all 100% first class. This is so beautiful and musical, and superior to Karajan's DG Mozart Symphony recordings - with the same Berlin Philharmonic, made in the late 1970s and 1980s.

Had Karajan conducted the symphonies with the same sense of line and flow he does in these concertos, he would have gone down in history as one of the great Mozart conductors. As it stands with commercial studio recordings that are available, that honor goes to Karl Bohm (DG), Rafael Kubelik (CBS, EMI); Otto Klemperer (EMI); Thomas Beecham (EMI, Sony UK); George Szell (Sony); and Bruno Walter (CBS).



I am not a woodwind player or expert on these works, but I know a great recording when I hear it, and this is one of the great Mozart concerto recordings.



There are other options: Bohm/Vienna Philharmonic with pricipals (DG); Wildner/Vienna Mozart Academy (Naxos); Ormandy/Philadelphia (Sony); and the recently released Brilliant Classics 7 disc box of Mozart Concertos."

Very good, but not quite there

philistine | San Diego, California USA | 02/08/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Being an oboist, I of course bought this CD for the Mozart oboe concerto. I was pleasantly surprised to find Lothar Koch's interpretation to be both energetic and brilliant. He captures the playful and spirited energy of the concerto very well and phrases the quick passages almost effortlessly. My one criticism is the lack of depth and resonance in his sound. That is the one think keeping this from a 5 star rating. However, this is probably one of the top 3 recordings of this concerto. I have yet to find a fully satisfying recording. The clarinet concerto was very well done by Leister. Lively with a gorgeous Adagio. Piesk's interpretation of the bassoon concerto was equally well done with a lot of vigor. Overall, great performances."

Karl Leister plays Mozart

Susan Hurwitz | Ithaca, NY | 02/28/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Karl Leister's rendition of the Mozart Clarinet Concerto is a joy to listen to. His beautiful dark sound is perfect for this piece, especially the Adagio. His phrasing and musicality are outstanding. This is a must have, not only for clarinet and Mozart lovers, but for all music lovers."