Customer Reviews

Mozart: Violin Concertos (Complete)

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This outstanding Philips Duo compilation is a tremendous bargain for Mozart lovers. It contains all five of Mozart's violin concertos, and, in addition, his Adagio for Violin and Orchestra (K. 261), Rondo for Violin and Orchestra (K. 373), and Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola and Orchestra, (K. 364.) The violin concertos are played by violinist Arthur Grumiaux and the London Symphony Orchestra with breathtaking beauty and an almost perfect classical simplicity and restraint, and convey a sense of Mozartean elegance, virtuosity and passion. Grumiaux teams with the Raymond Leppard and the New Philharmonia Orchestra for the Adagio, Rondo and Sinfonia Concertante (with Arrigo Pellica playing the viola.) The musical results are no less outstanding. Also worth mentioning are the liner notes, which combine an excellent historical overview of the compositions with superb musical commentary. They are among the best I've ever found accompanying a classical CD. This 2-CD set is an absolute winner. It belongs in every classical music lover's collection.

This is the complete corpus, minus the Concertone in C, of Mozart's major works for violin and orchestra. Not only will this CD quickly fill that gap in your classical collection, but you will not compromise anything in terms of quality and performance with this all-encompassing CD. Arthur Grumiaux's performance is near-perfect interpretation, combining sensitivity with rousing liveliness, and wit where needed. These are some rather well-noted performances from the 1960s, completely digitally remastered for today's high-tech listener. Personal favorites of mine are the final Rondeaus of Concertos Nos. 2 and 5, and that perennial showpiece, the Sinfonia Concertante, K. 364 (320d) (performed with violist Arrigo Pellicia). Carefully considered performances, executed without a hint of pretension, make this recording the best match for quality, comprehensiveness, and value.

This is what I felt when I finally got to listen to these concertos after couple of years of intense searching. Although technically maybe not so difficult as said everywhere, I found them extremely difficult as far as music and 'the ritght tone' goes. Horowitz once said that nowadays people play Mozart like Chopin and vice-versa. And this is true for many of the recordings with violin concertos. None I've listened before really told the story of these concertos. I got as close as I could with Mutter/Karajan and Perlman/Levine. Yet sometimes the violin was to impersonal (Mutter) or the orchestra not quite on the subject (Levine). This Chrismas I finally got to listen to Grumiaux of which I've heard before and let me tell you this: everything you read here is true. Grumiaux is playing the whole Mozart in these concertos. I'd go as far as to say that is is one of the best Mozart 'incarnations' in sound in all recorded music history. He is elegant, wonderful and full of understading phrasing. Everything is there in full range. Colin Davis does, as usual, a great job accompanying an outstanding performance in every aspect. Even those of you who only enjoy a very good recorded sound have all the reasons to be happy. It hardly can get better than this. But Grumiaux deserves all appraisals above all. What he does is extreme and sweet justice to Mozart and to his music.

Yet another Philips Mozart DUO that is at the top of the class. Having the legendary Arthur Grumiaux on so many of these Mozart violin collections makes them easy choices. His elegant, refined style and lucious tone (from an amazing 1744 Guanari) were born for Mozart. Just about every major reviewer (Penguin, Gramophone, etc) lists this particular CD in the top two best picks for Mozart's violin concertos, often citing Grumaiux's style as the ideal model for Mozart. The recording sound is exceptional too as is typical for most Philips discs. A superb choice for the violin concertos! A rather unique version of these works come from Baroque specialist, Fabio Biondi (Virgin) which I also liked for different reasons.

An alternative choice would be the intruiguing 5-CD collector's set of Grumiaux's Historic Philips Recordings from 1953-1962 which has these five concertos plus many and some rarer works from Paganini, Mendelssohn, Faure, Ravel, Debussy, Granados, Sarasate and others. 4/5 discs are in mono but the sound is fine really. If you admire this Belgian legend, then this historic set would probably be very special as it shows Grumiaux at his finest in a beautiful and diverse repertoire.

The artistic personality of Artur Grumiaux was undoubtedly very sober. In comparision with the warmth of a David Oistrakh or the powerful musculature of Heifetz, his golden and flawless intonation was if I may, unique. His sonority and style did not belong to bravura style. He was an accurate and impressive violinist. His Mozart is crystalline and innocent. Once more, his presence in various performances in Prades Festival transformed and even improved his spelling touch. As you know all the artists who participated in this unequal Festival acquired a giant dimension. It is not by mere hazard that names of the height of Joseph Szigeti, Eugene Istomin, Rudolf Serkin, Sandor Vegh, Isaac Stern, William Kapell, Clara Haskill - above their innate skills - experienced Casals' spell. And because of this experience there was an immediate rapport with Clara Haskill and recorded one of the most incredible sets of Mozart `s Sonatas for violin that I' have heard ever.
And, despite his brief existence 1921-1986 his name will be resounding in the world of the violin during years and years. His honesty and integrity , technique and musicianship, self possession and aristocratic feature confer a special honor place. Go and get all what you can about Mozart, Faure Sonatas, his Haendel sonatas for violin, his Debussy Sonata, Guilleme Lekeu, Paganini 4th, and his version of Franck's sonata for violin is one of the most lyrical ever recorded.
An unforgettable artist!

Arthur Grumiaux's aristocratic style really shines through here. He does not follow the more romantic style that seems to be very popular these days (check out Perlman and Mutter's recordings) and instead presents the music as it is intended to be. Some people may be turned off by this approach to the music, though, for it makes the music sound somewhat less impressive and perhaps slightly more dry. Nevertheless, Mozart's elegant melodies really sing via Grumiaux's treatment of the music. The Sinfonia Concertante is also appropriately performed. Arthur Grumiaux and Arrigo Pelliccia (viola) make a wonderful pair as they deliver the music with much precision and musicianship. This performance is one of the best that I have encountered. The sound quality here is first-rate, especially considering that this recording was made in the '60s. Only occasionally do you hear little scratches (especially prominent in the 2nd concerto). The supporting cast is also great; the LSO sounds as full and lively as ever, perhaps even a bit too "full" for a Mozart performance. At mid-price, this double CD is a must buy. There are competing disks on the market with similar or identical program, but this set is as strong a contender as any.

Grumiaux's Mozart is a winner. He is not always THE BEST in all the violin concertos, but this one is the best and it is the ideal performance for Mozart.

As violin fans know, his style is very sophisticated: ideal trill and perfect vibrato. Some may think it is non-human or cold, but I think it worked perfect in this Mozart Concertos. His sophisticated style gives a sharp rendition to Mozart's "can be too sweet" music, which I should say Grumiaux is austere. Also his expression is beautiful, sensitive and strong. Simply breathtaking.

He is too perfect in every second of all the concerto on this disc.

I like Perlman/Levine mozart but sometimes for me it is bit too sweet and over-romanticized.

Buy this disc because it is the best recording available in such a bargain price.

These are exceptional recordings of Mozart's violin concertos and other orchestral works performed by Arthur Grumiaux as soloist. He's given strong support from the London orchestras conducted by Sir Colin Davis and Raymond Leppard. Those who prefer a romanticized Mozart may not find these performances to their liking. Grumiaux's playing is noted for its aristocratic temperment and technical polish; hence it is a far cry from either Perlman's or Mutter's dramatic performances. Still, Grumiaux's austere style works; here it is well suited to Mozart's scores. Certainly this is one of the finest recordings of Mozart's violin concertos I have heard.

This recording was way ahead of it's time, both acoustically and musically. Even though it was made in the 60's, the recording quality is superb: I was stunned this was recorded 40 years ago!

Grumiaux's technique is mind boggling and his style poised and elegant. The tempos are fast, and he drills lightning spiccato runs effortlessly with a crisp, flawless articulation that is superhuman even by today's standards. The orchestra is far ahead of its time as well, as Colin Davis gets crystal clear, classical execution normally associated with today's recordings of groups like the Academy of Saint Martin in the Fields.

Grumiaux's interpretation can accurately be described as "aristocratic", meaning that he concentrates on sparkle, clarity, and precision rather than warmth and psychological complexity. Thus, to fans of interpretations like Mutter's, his playing will seem detached, cold, and fast, especially in the slow movements. Understanding this mindset requires an appreciation of the crystalline beauty of perfect sound and elegant style, and not looking for deep angst characteristic of more romantic approaches. Fans of period instruments as well need to be aware that this is 40 years old, and although his style is in perfect taste, it is decades before the first period recordings.

Grumiaux's Mozart is clean and clear. I believe his implementation follows the closest to that intended by Mozart and accurately reflects the style of the Classical period. Unlike some other renditions, Grumiaux does not indulge in overblown vibratos, exaggerated trills, or drawn-out endings. Instead, his tempo is crisp, his tone is clear, and he stays within the boundary of classical interpretation. One can imagine that this is how Mozart was played back in the courts and concert halls of Europe in the 18th century. Highly recommended and a bargain with the double CDs. If you want to stay true to how Mozart intended his design, then get Grumiaux's rendition, you won't be disappointed.