Customer Reviews

Amadeus: The Complete Original Soundtrack Recording

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This three disc set is an excellent starting point, not only for the beginning listener of Mozart, but to the beginning listener of classical music in general.

That said, the selections are quite in tune with the film itself, which quite uniquely makes this soundtrack valuable both to people who loved the film as well as those who have never seen it. Perhaps 90% of the tracks are the compositions of Mozart, including the Commendatore scene of "Don Giovanni" and the Queen of the Night aria from "The Magic Flute." The remaining tracks consist of music heard during various scenes in the film, including the finale from Salieri's opera "Axur." Enough new material is here to warrant buying this set over one of the other less expensive editions of the "Amadeus" soundtrack.

In short, the music contained herein is a virtual greatest hits album of Mozart, virtual only in that it's scope must be limited to only 3 discs. On an incidental note, even the conductor and symphony orchestra performing the selections are recognized as being among the foremost interpreters of Mozart's music; yet another reason to purchase the Bicentennial Edition. It also includes a wonderful album-sized booklet detailing much of the behind the scenes work involved, as well as portions of the story. All very nicely done, especially for an average price of approximately $12 per disc. I have hundreds of Mozart's CDs in my collection, but I most often return to this, the most concise package of his music. Whether you enjoyed the film and its music, or you simply wish to widen out your musical horizons to include Mozart's music, this is the set to buy.

Okay, I want to start off by saying that even this set is not "complete." Several pieces, that were in the film are missing. Papageno's aria from 'Flute', Martern aller Arten from 'Seraglio' and the opening to 'Figaro', to name a few. However, this really is a great recording and a wonderful introduction to Mozart.

Marriner is a wonderful conductor, but there are moments on this disc that are simply inadequate - namely The Queen of the Night's aria from 'Flute.' I have heard many many better readings than this. Christina Deutekom under the direction of Solti, with the Vienna Philharmonic is simply incredible as the Queen. This recording (complete) is hard to find, but amazon has a highlights version. It's the best 'Flute' out there.

The Commendatore Scene from 'Don Giovanni' is well done, but pales in comparison to what Eberhard Wachter did under the direction of Guilini - this recording has been called the greatest opera recording ever. One critic said there's a better chance we will see pigs fly than there is that a 'Don Giovanni' will be made that can rival Guilin's.

The scenes from 'The Marriage of Figaro' also pale in comparision to what Guilini, Solti, Bohm, and Muti for that matter have done.

So, I guess it's the opera scenes that I find most laking in this set, but as a whole it's truly a wonderful intro to Mozart's music.

If you want to explore his operas further, I recommend.

Marriage of Figaro - Guilini's all star set is highly regarded, but being that it's on 2 discs - two arias have been omitted. Solti's reading is excellent as well and complete. Bohm's complete recording is a true gem. Lastly, Muti's reading (while not with the best cast) features the Vienna Philharmonic, who truly blows any other orchestra in the world away and this set is worth it alone to hear this orchestra play this score.

Don Giovanni - The Guilini set with Sutherland, Schwartzkopf, Taddei, and Wachter. It is simply incomparable.

Magic Flute - Solti's 1970's reading with Prey, Duetekom, and the Vienna Philharmonic is unmatched in singing and energy. Again - the Vienna Philharmonic outshines any other orchestra I've heard play this score. Highlights is available on Amazon. Be cautious, Solti did another 'Flute' with the Vienna Philharmonic, with Sumi Jo at the helm. It's ok. Bohm's is also stupendous and a bargin at a cheap price.

Cosi fan tutte - totally overlooked in Amadeus, this is the third and final collaboration between Mozart and DaPonte (Figaro and Don G. being the first two). Cosi contains some of Mozart's most sublime music and features some of his best ensemble work. Ludwig, Schwartzkopf, Taddei, Kraus, and Berry under the direction of Bohm is your absolute best bet.

"Bach sits at the left hand of God. Beethoven sits at the right hand of God. Mozart sits in God's lap!"

In 1984, Milos Forman's film Amadeus, based on the hit Broadway play by Peter Schaffer, made it to the big screen with resounding success nationwide. When the soundtrack was released, it was a top seller and even found itself selling as much as such popular 80's artists as Madonna. The music from this well-made film, mostly Mozart but used some Classical-Era works by Salieri, Pergolesi and Salieri- hooked young people into classical music when they might have otherwise never given it a chance.

In the film, Mozart's music is used for dramatic effect and for ambiance. Vienna in the 1780's was the home of a blooming musical scene that would later see the likes of Beethoven. This musical kingdom is well captured in the soundtrack, which features tantalizing excerpts from Mozart's most illustrious works. The film opens to the frenzied, dark strains of the 1st movement of the 25th Symphony, as a crazed Salieri is taken from his home to a mental asylum after an attempted suicide. It goes on to use the religious music of Pergolesi Ave Verum and Amen - boys chorus as Salieri contemplates a life of chastity and dedication to music if God grants him talent. Then we leave Salieri's world of spirituality and desire for fame when we are introduced to the young Mozart. The Serenade for Winds "Gran Partita" is heard - an oboe, clarinets, "like a rusty squeezebox" and fills the air with sublime serenity. This coming from a composer who began his career at the age of 4 who was already trained in piano and violin, and who in his teens composed symphonies and operas. Salieri's works are no longer heard as Mozart's brilliant music takes over the score. We hear breathaking slices of his famous operas in chronologically composed order- the German opera Abduction From The Seraglio which was composed for the soprano Katerina Cavalieri (who has a fling wit Mozart and whom Salieri desired for himself), Figaro's Wedding and Finale from Le Nozze Di Figaro and the dramatic Commandatore Dinner Scene from Don Giovanni, and lastly the Queen of the Night Aria and Papageno's Aria from his enchanting and spiritual work The Magic Flute. Further to these famous works, which also include the Piano Concerto in D No. 20- which prefigured Romantic piano concertos of Beethoven flair, and the Eine Kleine Nachtmusiz which is Mozart's most famous tune and signature theme, we are treated to rare works in Mozart's ouevre. This includes the Masonic Funeral March, a funeral piece Mozart wrote for his fellow Masons. Divertimenti is heard in a latter scene in which Mozart's wife Constanza escapes her woes with Mozart and indulges in a spa. Chamber works, the heartwarming Flute concerto and even the rare Salieri opera Axur (then considered the greatest opera ever made, according to Emperor Joseph) all make up for a great recording album. This album now exists in extended form for the Bicentennial. The movie is a perfect companion to this album.

Of course, not just Mozart fans.. anyone who has an ear for great music. If you've seen the movie, you'll want to run and get the soundtrack. Get this cd. A bit overpriced but worth it. The music is superb. Starting off like in the movie with Symphony 25, a dark but fun piece (in the film, it's played when Salieri is attempting suicide). The excerpts from the operas are terrific. Enjoy the rollicking tunes of Mozart's opera set in Turkey, the dark music to Don Giovanni and the romantic melodies of Nozze di Figaro. The piano concertos are irresistable. The tender Flute and Harp concerto is divine. The Requiem is brilliant. Plus the symphonic music are awesome. Viva Amadeus !

This 1991 3-disc standard set is undoubtedly a fine edition of the Amadeus soundtrack with its unique and oversized packaging, but for serious listening, you should consider the '24 High-Bit' Gold CD remastered special edition issued in 2002 (ASIN: B00005Y1SV), notwithstanding that it does cost slightly more.

The original soundtrack has been remastered for excellent sonics in that special edition, and I believe the included 30-page booklet has been updated as well.

Although there are only 2 discs in the remastered edition, each 24K Gold disc is jam-packed with music to the brim, such that the special edition set of 2 discs actually contains all 30 tracks of this 3-disc standard edition.

Anyway, if you enjoyed Amadeus, you can't go wrong with either edition, as each will deliver many hours of listening pleasure.

In my opinion, this box set is simply the best Mozart's "greatest hits" one can hear. The selection covers almost all Mozart's masterpieces. The execution is delicated, but strong, and it's Mozart played like Mozart , not like Wagner. If you don't know much about Mozart, start with this box set. If you love Mozart, it will certainly satisfy you too. GREAT!!!!! I LOVED!!!!

The score to Amadeus is perhaps the best soundtrack in the world. Not because it's scored by a Hollywood film composer such as John Williams or James Horner. Of course, these two are talented. But everyone agrees that no one can be as perfect in music as was the prodigy Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. He was a genius, born to create beautiful music for the world. In Amadeus, Forman manages to put the music to the many climatic moments in the life of Mozart. He uses the Don Giovanni Overture (the first notes) to highlight the grief and terror of the death of Leopold, Mozart's father, and the devastation it took on Mozart. The Requiem is meant to emphasize the death of Mozart himself.. the glorious finale to the life of the world's grandest composer. The music is masterfully performed by the Academy of St. Martins in the Fields with conductor Marriner. He is the most virtuosic interpretor of Mozar'ts music, in the same manner that Dorati is for the music of Tchaikovsky. The film Amadeus is a marvelous celebration of Mozart's music. I hope this cd makes you go out and buy other Mozart masterpieces- Divertimenti, Piano concertos ( i recommend 20-23) the Romanza of 20 and Andante of 21 are beautiful, the Violin Sonatas and Concertos, the Flute and Oboe concertos, the 6 Horn Concertos, the Serenades, Symphonies, Operas and the religious music he wrote: Great Mass in C, Coronation Mass and Requiem. Mozart has to be the world's greatest composer. Even Salieri, his bitter and jealous archenemy, declared that Mozart was the world's greatest. It is not hard to see why. Mozart will forever be remembered as a divine composer. In fact, his music is still used today. Scientists and research has proven that Mozart's music can make a person smarter. Mozar'ts perfectly lined musical notes can line up the brain cells. The slower movements, adagios and andantes can bring a sense of calm and inner peace, his livelier music "allegro, con brio and con spirito" can bring a person out of a depression. Mozart's music heals mind, body and soul. This is why he is such a great composer, eventhough many regard his music as frivolous and not as masteful as Beethoven or great symphonists as Vaughn Williams, or Mahler. This cd is worth its price.

We loved the film and the music so much that we saw it several times in the cinema, watched it on TV and videoed it, watched it again and again, wore out the gramophone records, bought cassette copies for family members, and finally acquired this 3 CD box set.

Our family is another example of folk who learnt a lot about Mozart's music from the film and the soundtrack. After buying it, we bought many complete versions of pieces that are featured here.

The accompanying booklet is well thought-out, and gives an excellent guide to the music and the film. I have often wondered whether the title of the original stage play was meant to reflect Salieri's chagrin that a man who was so coarse was loved by God [the meaning of Amadeus] and showered with his gifts, whereas a pious fellow like Salieri could recognise beauty but not create it. [This is, of course, the viewpoint of the play, and not necessarily in accordance with the historical reality.]

The music and the performances are wonderful. Some of our favourite tracks:

Bubak and Hungaricus [the gypsy music], which our children called "The Pongy Music," after the weird string sound
The magical extract from the Gran Partita, used so effectively in the scene where Salieri looks through Mozart's music
The Requiem extracts
The wind version of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik first movement
The first movement of the Symphony no 25 in G minor, used for the opening, where Salieri is rushed to hospital, after trying to do himself in
The slow movement of the D minor concerto, used for the closing titles

Any lover of Mozart or the film Amadeus, REALLY needs to have this in their collection. It has some of the most beautiful music and Academy of St. Martin in the Fields is wonderful!

Not being particuarly knowledgeable of classical music, these are by far the most beautiful sounds ever composed. The music on this album is superb, and whenever I am feeling out-of-touch, unreached or sad I listen to this music-- it is an undying inspiration of beauty to the soul, a solid force of delicate sounds which stir the inner chords of the mind and uplift the heart to unbelievable truth, a proof of perfection, unflawed and simply breathtaking.

The film itself is excellent, one of the greatest ever done in its own medium, but the music transcends even that greatness to which, by itself it stands the true pillar of genius behind all the history and story that surrounds it. Ranging from giddy and gleeful joy to feelings of ultimate loss and despair, every human emotion is here in this music, every note a tear, a laugh, and a feeling of wonder.

I cannot stop listening to Requiem mass. Also: Mass in C Minor, Kyrie. It is simply beautiful. I've never felt music so pure in emotion, it's simpliest form, reduced to beautiful sounds in such interwoven patterns, everflowing as blood in the veins: a true life everlasting. I am closest to God in such music, for only a divine power could produce something of such pure beauty, it is above all human ability.

I suggest to anyone who enjoys music in general, to give the soundtrack of Amadeus a listen: it will open your ears to sounds of pure genius and awe-inspiring beauty. I never was a fan of classical until this album. I bought it a few years ago, and occasionally it has wandered back into my life. These powerful sounds enthrall me, I am encompassed in a world of allegro and aria, so delicatley placed is each sound, it blows my mind. I allow myself to be humbled by its greatness, yet lifted by its power to inspire in such beauty.

This is the closest one will ever come to true flight, lifted upon the powerful wings of thes notes, of these sounds, ever so soft and powerful, bringing us closer to solid beauty, the manifestation of perfection, the abstract idea itself, here it lies in these notes-- this is an album that I will carry with me until my dying day, while everything else in my collection of music will come and go, it is this W.A. Mozart album that will forever stay with me, even after I have died, I am sure that I will hear his music. If I could give this ten stars, or an eternal standing ovation, I would. It deserves even more.