Customer Reviews

The "Amadeus" Mozart

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Well, that's what I get for trying to save a few bucks....the original soundtrack to the film Amadeus is three times the price of this CD, so I decided to go with my cheapskate instincts and buy this one, thinking it would be pretty much the same as the soundtrack. Let me prevent you from making the same mistake I did--it isn't! Maybe I just got used to hearing the songs in a certain way from the film, but some of these renditions don't even sound like the same songs. For example, the Symphony # 5 (K. 183) cut is played at a tempo that is so fast, it is tiring to listen to. Some of the songs are done pretty well; the Serenade for Winds (K. 361) is beautiful and moving, the Lacrymosa section from the Requiem is done well, and the Piano Concerto in D Minor retains its haunting mood. If you are looking for a reasonably-priced Mozart CD, this would probably be a good investment for you; but if you are wanting renditions of these beautiful songs as you heard them in the film, then spend the extra bucks and buy the soundtrack.

Terrible. Were these selections recorded on a gramophone, or what? There are a million recordings of each of these pieces that are so much better than the way they're presented here. There's no real sense of musicality at all; each piece sounds about as exciting as staring at the printed music would be. I'd be ashamed to use this CD to indoctrinate my friends to Mozart. If you want Mozart in all his lush greatness, go buy a CD by the ASMF, or the VPO, or reputable orchestras. But for Pete's sake, skip this one at all costs.

I've heard the official soundtrack from the movie "Amadeus" and it's a million times better than this one. Symphony #25 and the Requiem excerpts are some of the worst recordings that I have heard. They aren't performed very musically in my opinion. None of these recordings compare to the quality recordings on the "Amadeus" soundtrack and I would not recommend this recording.

I've heard the official soundtrack from the movie "Amadeus" and it's a million times better than this one. Symphony #25 and the Requiem excerpts are some of the worst recordings that I have heard. They aren't performed very musically in my opinion. None of these recordings compare to the quality recordings on the "Amadeus" soundtrack and I would not recommend this recording.

I love this CD. Most impressive are the selections from Mozart's Requiem, Symphony #25, and excerpts from Don Giovanni.

The reason for the wide discrepancy in reviews for this cd: several distinguished performances, but the sound on most tracks is very primitive. This is due to the digitalization process used: AAD. Nowadays, this almost never occurs; pre-digital recordings are digitally remastered, and designated as ADD. AAD cd's are carelessly transferred, and sound much worse than the original LP-intended records--tubby, ill-balanced, strange overtones, uneven volumes, raw and overblown. This early practice caused many to believe that cd could not reproduce sound comparable to vinyl.

CBS/Sony should be ashamed to present these performances in such poor sound, when a modern remastering could easily have been done. Szell, Walter, Casadesus and others would never have approved such shoddy releases, but they are long gone, and their artistic legacies are here trashed. This disc is a slap in the face to some of the finest performing musicians of the 20th century.

This is the best presentation of Mozart's works I have heard on any cd or record. I reccommend it to all. Even my friends who can not stand classical music enjoy this!

I first began listening to Mozart when I recieved AMADEUS as a Christmas gift at the age of eight. Here I am, nine years later, enjoying the soundtrack of a tape I watched so many times it wore out. This CD is a wonderful investment. It acts out every possible emotion one can have. It's great to listen to at any time of the day, and wonderful to fall asleep to. I guarantee anyone who buys this CD will love it, including those hard-rock/heavy-metal fans (myself included).

The soundtrack made me feel as if I were sitting in the front row with a genius at my side answering to my every beconning call.

I've seen the movie 'Amadeus' three times and loved every moment of it-especially the music!! (I played it once just to hear it) I would show it to anyone who enjoys a little humor and good music.