Customer Reviews

Mozart: Early Piano Concertos

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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!

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.

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!

David Greilsammer is an artist worthy of attention. His ability to touch the keyboard of a modern Steinway piano and make us believe we are sitting in a salon in Mozart's day - so characteristic of the style, the embellishments and the cadenzas that even on a modern instrument have all the grace and clarity of the original harpsichord performances. Here he performs with the conductor-less Suedama Ensemble, a student orchestra based out of the 92nd Street "Y" in New York City of which Greilsammer is musical director. The concerti selected for this very well recorded CD include No. 5 in D major, K 175, No. 6 in B flat major, K 238, and No. 8 in C major, K 246. We can only hope that this foray into the rarely performed concerti continues on subsequent CDs.

Greilsammer and his ensemble offer vivid, frolicking, and when called for very soul searching performances. Greilsammer uses his own cadenzas and for once they sound more like Mozart than most other soloist-written cadenzas. There are moments in these three works that suggest the seeds of some of Mozart's symphonies and operas were already planted. Hearing these early works written as a teenager offers the listener a deeper appreciation for what was to follow in Mozart's prodigious output. David Greilsammer is rapidly becoming a champion for taking risks in music and we are fortunate for his arrival on the artistic scene. Grady Harp, January 11

I'm not a musician. I am familiar with these two early Mozart pieces, though.
I bought the Greilsammer/Suedama CD after reading the first three Amazon reviews, but for me they were misleading. The performance is spirited, it moves quickly, and it probably could be called lively. It undoubtedly is competent.

But it seems flat. There's no feeling in the performance, none of the Mozart "life" that should come through in a good performance of it. It's just workmanlike. The musicians seem in a hurry to finish and go home.

If you want a really good performance of these pieces, get Alfred Brendel's, I believe with Marriner. It's exciting, as well as lively and spirited. There's passion in it. The music seems to talk to you.