Search - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Charles Mackerras, Scottish Chamber Orchestra :: Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 17 & 24

Triumphant

David Saemann | 09/18/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My first encounter with this coupling of concertos was on an Angel LP with Andre Previn as soloist and Sir Adrian Boult conducting the London Symphony. That was a classic recording, as is the CD of Geza Anda in No. 17. John O'Conor is in their league. 17 receives a mellifluous, lyrical reading, with exquisitely etched passagework and lovely sonorities from the orchestra. But 24 is the real highlight here. O'Conor studied with Wilhelm Kempff, and this concerto was one of Kempff's specialties. Everything in the solo part is brilliantly etched, full of character. In the slow movement, O'Conor employs a lot of ornamentation near the ending, but it never sounds precious or unidiomatic. Mackerras is remarkable in this concerto. He puts a great emphasis on the brass and timpani parts, giving them a prominence they might have had in a period instrument orchestra. The whole performance of 24 combines grandeur and sensitivity in a highly winning way. Add to that excellent sound engineering--the piano image has wonderful size and depth--and you have a first-class CD."