Mozart: Early Piano Concertos

Mozart (Composer), David Greilsammer (Conductor, Performer), Suedama Ensemble (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: David Greilsammer, Suedama Ensemble
• Conductor: David Greilsammer
• Composer: Mozart
• Audio CD (August 26, 2008)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Naive
• ASIN: B0019ZF2QW
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #308,411 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

AllMusic.com, James Manheim, October 2008

The early Mozart keyboard concertos, which date from Mozart's mid-teens, were written for harpsichord and orchestra. For years they were often performed in a rather delicate way, whether a harpsichord, fortepiano, or modern grand was used. The first of the three concertos recorded here, however, stands up to a fuller approach. The Piano Concerto No. 5 in D major, K. 175, is a striking work that, perhaps more than any other work of Mozart's adolescence, prefigures further developments with the large scope marked out by the orchestration in its first movement and the ingenious mixture of polyphony and playfulness in the finale, a mixture that Mozart, 10 years later in Vienna, judged too advanced for Viennese audiences and replaced with a simpler substitute. If you reject historical-instrument approaches in Mozart's music on the grounds that Mozart would have wanted a modern piano if he could have heard it, you could hardly come up with a work better suited to the argument than this concerto, with its full complement of winds and liberal use of horns. American pianist David Greilsammer and the small Suedama Ensemble offer a full-blooded interpretation of the work, with a lively, sharply articulated piano part bouncing off the numerous details of the orchestration in the outer movements and engaging in full-throated singing in the lovely slow movement. The other two concertos, the Piano Concerto No. 6 in B flat major, K. 238, and the Piano Concerto No. 8 in C major, K. 246, are considerably less adventurous, and more clearly suited to the harpsichord. Greilsammer backs off considerably here, and the group as a whole contents itself with straightforward, simply proportioned readings. This American recording was apparently made for the small Tabor Foundation in 2005 (the booklet does not enlighten the reader about the background of the recording or of any of the perfomers) and was picked up by France's Naïve label and redecorated with a picture of a discarded toy horse on a dirt road, presumably symbolic of Mozart's laying aside of his early influences in the Piano Concerto No. 5. At times one wonders whether Greilsammer is putting more weight on this work than it can bear -- the themes of the finale are pretty simply laid out -- but the collective work of the performers in bringing to life this sudden growth spurt in Mozart's imagination is impressive.

Product Description

In spite of their originality and beauty, Mozart’s early piano concertos are, sadly, rarely performed today. With this recording, David Greilsammer and the Suedama Ensemble seek to illuminate these extraordinary works and open the door to the magical world of Mozart’s youth. This interpretation offers a unique and imaginative vision, revealing exuberant spontaneity fused with ever-present lyricism. In addition, the passionate relationship between soloist and orchestra here is based on complete balance and profound intimacy. It is in this magnificent spirit that David Greilsammer and Suedama carry a renaissance of Mozart’s young masterpieces. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Energy and Warmth, August 22, 2006

By 

M. Robertson (Surrey, England) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mozart: Early Piano Concertos (Audio CD)

In my eyes this is one of the greatest interpretations of these early piano concertos. One can immediately hear that David Greilsammer and the Suedama Ensemble take these rare works very seriously: There is true vision behind every note, behind every phrasing. The performance offers real intimacy, a very warm sound while at the same time outstanding energy. On top of that, I simply love Greilsammer's cadenzas.

This is a gorgeous recording.

I recommend it to all Mozart lovers!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible. Thoughtful. Inviting., August 22, 2006

By 

Jeffrey Rutzky "Papercraft Author & Graphic D... (NYC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mozart: Early Piano Concertos (Audio CD)

Not being an avid classical listener, I am only qualified to say that the accessibility of Suedama's performance of Mozart's Early Piano Concertos is great for all ears. Technically, it's a precise work of art, musical direction, and sound engineering. Artistically, it's a balanced collection of concertos that makes the hour a pleasure to do nothing but listen.

It's also very appropriate for young listeners who might be shy about "classical music." For those adults always trying to get young people to open up to great composers (like my father did), this is a guaranteed ticket.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb Early Mozart concertos, February 19, 2008

By 

Oldnslow (Seattle, Washington USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Mozart: Early Piano Concertos (Audio CD)

Just to chime in with what has been said already. This is a wonderful recording of early Mozart piano concertos. Greilsammer and his young players put an amazing amount of energy and focus into these pieces. A real eye opener. I can't say I have listened before to these pieces until I read a profile of the pianist recently in Grammaphone. I'm, sure glad I did. Outstanding!