Customer Reviews

The Lighter Mozart

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

 

 

I have loved this disc for many years and own it on LP.The disc is also known as Der Heitere Mozart in Europe. The music consists of choral canons written by Mozart during various stages of his life.They are a little risque and silly,reminding one of the Mozart depicted in the movie Amadeus.There are also solo arias,duets,and trios that are based on sketches by Mozart. These sketches have been fleshed out by a music professor from Vienna,I believe,but are all tastefully conceived.The arias and duets vary from being silly to romantic but all are wonderfully performed.The solo performers include Hermann Prey,Walter Berry,Erika Koth and Peter Schreier.They sound excellant in this music.This disc also includes a bonus version of Mozart's Musical Joke that did not appear on the LP.It is performed by a quintet and is quite a pleasant bonus.All in all,this is a fine disc at a bargain price.The disc reminds me of fine Vienesse pastry-sweet but wonderful.I would buy this disc immediately before it goes out of print.

Well, I do indeed like Mozart, but the the first two in this review's title rather accurately describe my limitations. This particular recording is simply excellent: spirited, precise, and fun. I did not get the jokes; everything is sung in German. It did not matter. The disc is well recorded, varied, and has the professional feel of performer competency that I think all listeners can appreciate, language notwithstanding. By the way, for any who may be Peter Schickele/PDQ Bach fans, the included "Musical Joke" shows you where he got many of his ideas. (Most of the rest came from Spike Jones.) This CD is a toe-tapper. Mozart's tunes stick to your mind and you hear them again and again, enjoying every time. For a budget-priced CD, this is one of the best I've heard.