Search - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Carlo Maria Giulini, New Philharmonia Orchestra :: Symphonies 40 & 41

"Classic Sound" = Classic Giulini & Mozart

Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 12/24/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD of Mozart's 40th and 41st Symphonies performed by Carlo Maria Giulini and the New Philharmonia Orchestra is part of Decca/London's "The Classic Sound" series, the predecessor to the "Decca Legends" line. Many of the original "Classic Sound" CDs have been reissued as "Legends" titles, but since this one has not, I expect it will go out of print shortly. Interested parties should act fast, because this is a terrific disc. While his fellow musicians (and connoisseurs) adored him, Giulini was never quite as popular with the public, which is a shame because he was truly one of the great conductors of the last century. (In fact, see my review of his volume in the "Great Conductors of the 20th Century" series.) Giulini's 1965 accounts of Mozart's last two Symphonies are magical, well paced and insightful, and are certainly preferable to his painfully slow early-80s renditions for Sony. Buy this disc while you can."