Search - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Domenico Scarlatti, Henry Swoboda :: Mozart: Piano Concerto in D Minor, K. 466, Scarlatti: 11 Sonatas

Five stars for Haskil

BLee | 10/07/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I hadn't heard anything by Clara Haskil before buying this disc, except for her DG Originals Mozart concerti which didn't make much of an impression one way or the other. This disc, however, is another story. Haskil's is a very impressive k. 466, tragic and intense without verging in any way into Romantic anachronism. Both the Mozart and the Scarlatti are distinguished by lively intelligence and subtle use of pianistic colour.The caveat has to do with the orchestral contribution to the Mozart, which doesn't come through in particularly good sound and is sometimes overly Romantic for my taste, particularly in the slow movement."

Great Legacy

BLee | HK | 10/05/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
Haskil and Maria Tipo are two great lady pianists of the century and both like to put their Mozart and Scarlatti repertoire together. So, it would be interesting to make a comparison of them.



Tipo's Scarlatti are easy to understand, even for the first listening. For an even better alternative, one might check out Michalengeli-- regrettably, the latter had recorded only a few of them.



Haskil's, on the other hand are much more subtle and much more lively and so full of nuances. Yet, her reading is not always easy to follow and it often takes time to digest. But after that, it would rewarding enough.



Personally speaking, I would give more weight to Haskil's Mozart than her Scarlatti; and I would give more weight to Tipo's Scarlatti than her Mozart.



Lastly, to those who are impressed by her Mozart, don't forget to check out her Mozart Violin Sonatas with Grumiaux which are really a treat.



PS: Even though we don't have any information about the conductor, the orchestra is not bad at all and the recorded sound, very good in view of its time.

"