Amadeus: Original Soundtrack Recording [Soundtrack]

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Composer), Anonymous (Composer), Neville Marriner (Conductor), Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields (Performer, Orchestra), Imogen Cooper (Performer), Anne Queffélec (Performer), Ivan Moravec (Performer), Felicity Lott (Performer), Isobel Buchanan (Performer), Samuel Ramey (Performer), Richard Stilwell (Performer), Willard White (Performer), Anne Howells (Performer), Robin Leggate (Performer), Alexander Oliver (Performer), Patricia Payne (Performer), Deborah Rees (Performer), John Tomlinson (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Imogen Cooper, Anne Queffélec, Ivan Moravec, Felicity Lott, et al.
• Orchestra: Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields
• Conductor: Neville Marriner
• Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Anonymous
• Audio CD (December 22, 1992)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Fantasy
• ASIN: B000000XBT
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,834 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Symphony No.25 In G Minor, K.183: 1st Movemen

2. Stabat Mater: Quando Corpus Morietur And Amen

3. Bubak and Hungaricus

4. Serenade For Winds, K.361: 3rd Movement

5. The Abduction From The Seraglio: Turkish Finale

6. Symphony No.29 In A Major, K.201: 1st Movement: Allegro Moderato

7. Concerto For Two Pianos, K.365: 3rd Movement

8. Mass In C Minor, K.427: Kyrie

9. Symphonie Concertante, K.364: 1st Movement

Disc: 2

1. 3rd Movement

2. Act 3: Ecco la marcia

3. Act 4: Ah tutti contenti

4. Act 2: Commendatore scene

5. Ruhe sanft, mein holdes Leben

6. Introitus

7. Dies Irae

8. Rex Tremendae Majestatis

9. Confutatis

10. Lacrymosa

See all 11 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mozart's music shines in wonderful soundtrack album...., April 18, 2004

By 

Alex Diaz-Granados "fardreaming writer" (Miami, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Amadeus: Original Soundtrack Recording (Audio CD)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart has been one of my favorite composers for years, especially after I watched Milos Foreman's brilliant film Amadeus, a wonderful adaptation of Peter Shaffer's stage play.

While the story and the performances by F. Murray Abraham (Antonio Salieri) and Tom Hulce (W. A. Mozart) were enthralling, the true star of the movie was, of course, Mozart's beautiful and timeless music, and no wonder, for the music supervisor (and conductor) for Amadeus was none other than one of the best interpreters of Mozart's compositions, Sir Neville Marriner.

In this wonderful two-disc set of the original soundtrack, Marriner leads the acclaimed Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields orchestra in 20 excerpts from various symphonies, piano concertos, operas, and Mozart's final opus, the Requiem.

Disc One begins with the first movement of Mozart's Symphony No. 25 in G minor, K 183, a very dramatic and energetic work which foreshadows the emotionally charged compositions of Beethoven (who was a student of Mozart's) and other composers of the Romantic era. Composed when Mozart was only 17 years old, it is the first symphony he wrote in a minor key. Sweeping and almost stormy at times, it is an apt accompaniment to the film's "I killed Mozart!" opening sequence.

Among the other eight tracks on this first disc are excerpts from Giovanni Pergolesi's "Stabat Mater," early 18th Century Gypsy music played on instruments of the period, and more Mozart works ranging from opera (the Turkish Finale from The Abduction from the Seraglio) to the first movement from Symphonie Concertante, K 364.

Disc Two contains 11 tracks, including the beautiful third movement of the Piano Concerto in E flat, masterfully played by pianist Ivan Moravec and the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. Opera and fans of Mozart's works for voice and orchestra will enjoy this second disc, for not only are there excerpts from The Marriage of Figaro (Ecco la Marcia, Ah Tutti Contenti) and Don Giovanni (the famous Commendatore scene from Act II), but also the "Ruhe Stanft" aria from Zaide (featuring the lovely voice of soprano Felicity Lott). Rounding out the bulk of this mostly vocal-works half are five selections from Mozart's Requiem, K 626, a work into which the composer poured his creativity and energies but was unfinished at the time of his death in 1791. Aptly, the final track is the "Romanza" or second movement of the Piano Concerto in D minor, K 466. As played by Imogen Cooper and the orchestra, it reflects various emotions that are normally associated with music from the Romantic era rather than the more sedate and "logical" Classical period in which Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart lived during his brief 36-year sojourn on Earth.

The two-disc set also comes with a handy booklet with program notes, divided into "The Story" on one side of the page and "The Music" on the other, helping the listener identify which cue goes with what scene, while at the same time giving brief music appreciation notes to put the works into historical and artistic context.

Alex Diaz-Granados

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Salieri's Story....Mozart's Music...Excellent Recording!...., June 25, 2003

By 

L. Shirley "Laurie's Boomer Views" (Huntington Beach,CA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Amadeus: Original Soundtrack Recording (Audio CD)

Remember the opening scene from the wonderful film "Amadeus"? A deranged old man screaming his confession of murdering Mozart, his suicide attempt and rushing him to an insane asylum through the wintry streets of Vienna circa 1820's. All this to Mozart's wonderfully intense Symphony No. 25 in the background. As Salieri confesses his story to a priest, the story unfolds, and so does all the music.

This CD is an outstanding recording of the soundtrack from the film and the music directed by Neville Marriner, Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields, is absolutely beautiful. It's mostly Mozart works we hear as Salieri's story unfolds, you can relive those moments if your a fan of the film, or just enjoy this passionate music if you are a fan of Mozart.

Some of Mozart's music included is "Serenade for Winds", "Concerto for Two Pianos", "The Marriage of Fiagaro(actIII and Act IV)", "Don Giovanni(ActII)", and "Requiem" (6,7,8,9,10).You will also find some great choir and early
18th Century Gypsy music which is played on the instruments of the period. There are 20 delicious tracks. Most running a good length between 5 minutes to 13 minutes(there a a few shorter ones as well). For a complete list of songs see the buying info here.

Enclosed is an informative booklet that gives the story along with some facts about each song. It's nice to follow along with.
The CD I have is a 2 dics set distributed by Fantasy, Inc(I didn't see this mentioned in the buying info) and is the same image and exact title as the one here. This is one you can listen to any time, any place, and often! A 5 star
recording for 5 Star
music....enjoy...Laurie

also recommended:
Cinema Choral Classics
Classical Evolution: Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 "Choral"
Le Nozze Di Figaro (Staatskapelle Berlin)

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A potpourri of the best, June 7, 2000

By 

triscodeca "triscodeca" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Amadeus: Original Soundtrack Recording (Audio CD)

I like this CD for the sheer variety in styles. It starts with the popular'n'bouncy "Symphony No:25" and later melts into the slow and soothing "Stabat Mater" (considered as the pick of Pergolesi's music). From there it kick-starts into the energetic "18th century gypsy music" (Bubak and Hungaricus). This one just keeps me thrilled with the intricate variations that just go on like a roller-coaster ride that at the end of it you wish it had lasted longer.

This also has Mozart's only concerto for two pianos which is soothing and delicate where the orchestra keeps a distance and lets the piano take over. No wonder when I saw a web-site recommending this piece of music to students for improving their concentration.

The rest of the CD contains operactic songs (in German?) - "Mass in C Minor", "Marriage of Figaro". All of them are splendid. The booklet (songlist) made interesting reading about Mozart's life. A truly marvelous collection of some of the maestro's best. Worth every buck you pay for it.