Search - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Alberto Lizzio, Mozart Festival Orchestra :: Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 21 & 23

The Best Interpretation of Mozart's Piano Concerti

08/03/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Contrary to the opinion of the reviewer above, Svetlana Stanceva on the piano with Lizzio conducting the Mozart Festival Orchestra is without a doubt the best interpretation of both the 20 and 21 concerti. You will never find a more measured and perfect andante movement of the 21st, made famous in the film "Elvira Madigan". Ashkenazy as my fellow reviewer mentioned does a great performance and I agree. But we cannot dismiss the brilliant elegance with which Stanceva performs. The 20th's allegrois fiery, bold and breathtaking, like something Beethoven would have written and you will be satisfied with this rendition, Stanceva captures the perfect timing from the lingering slow opening to its sonorous change in the key of D minor. The Romanza is touching and for those who have seen Amadeus, it is the music associated with Salieri's bitterness in the asylum in the final scene and the music to the closing credits. Other ensembles and conductors you might want to check out, aside from Lizzio and the on with Ashkenazy would be Sir Neville Marriner's conducting the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, either the one on the soundtrack(you will hear only the Allegro and Romanza of the 20th) or in its entirety with his recording of the piano concerti. A five star recording ! Three cheers for Stanceva !"

Great Piano Concertos, The Worst Possible Performances!

Rudy Avila | 04/15/2000

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I love Mozart and adore his piano concertos. No. 23 is widely regarded as possibly his best piano concerto, and the Elvira Madigan has a very beautiful slow movement. These performances, however, are just terrible. The soloist is dull, the orchestra doesn't sound good, and there's no emotion here. Moreover, the piano and orchestra seem to be playing at different paces throughout. Don't let such a poor performance turn you off from such beautiful music. If you want the real Mozart piano concertos, consider Ashkenazy and the Philharmonia Orchestra."

Svetlana Stanceva: A Rare Star

Rudy Avila | Lennox, Ca United States | 09/03/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Everyone's heard of Glenn Gould, Ashkenazy, Rubinstein, Brendel and other famous male pianists. Svetlana Stanceva is a wonderful female pianist and her speciatly was Mozart. Here, she provides a warm, moving rendition of the 21st and 23rd piano concerto. She does the Andante Movement of the 21st the way it should be played - not too slow (it's andante not adagio). She paces herself in the most precise manner. Mozart would be proud. In addition, I do feel it sound romantic and emotional. Besides, some of Mozart's music was merely virtuosic and sprightly for the sake of showmanship and not so much emotion. That rare second movement of the 21st (Elvira Madigan concerto) is the exception. It even comes off as Romantic Era which Mozart never lived to see). Don't bash Svetlana. She's brilliant."