Customer Reviews

Mozart: Early Symphonies

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Nikolaus Harnoncourt was amazed by the technical brilliance of the young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, when he conducted, and then later recorded, these early symphonies with his Concentus Musicus Wien, the period instrument ensemble which he founded decades ago. I concur with Harnoncourt's assessment; these symphonies do not sound at all like work composed by a novice composer, especially one who hadn't quite yet reached adolescence. Instead, under Harnoncourt's splendid direction, these symphonies sound like excellent examples of Classical music (I refer to the classical music style then in vogue, not all of "classical" music.) at its height, similar in their complexity to those of Haydn, for example. Here Harnoncourt has made a very persuasive case as to why these early symphonies should be performed more often, noting Mozart's genius in composing such intricate scores in the liner notes, and aided immensely by the Concentus Musicus Wien's excellent playing. The sound quality is absolutely first rate, since these symphonies were recorded in the state-of-the-art Teldec Berlin recording studio (For some reason, the liner notes refer to it as the Teldex Berlin studio.). Without question, this two CD set should appeal to fans of Mozart and of course, Harnoncourt.

Mozart's earliest symphonies are deeply appealing to anyone who remembers their boyhood. They encapsulate the exhilaration of being so young and so alive. Moreover, in this instance it was a charming idea to ask Harnoncourt's grandchildren and the conductor himself to recite various letters written by the Mozarts during the course of their Grand Tour.

But the charm ends there.

If you want to hear these miraculous works being conducted by the Wild Man of Borneo, look no further: this offering is for you. Harnoncourt is at his gruffest. He leeches all the grace from these works. Nor has Harnoncourt mellowed over the years: his trademarks as a conductor - the willful tempos and explosive accents - have yet to abate even as the clock winds down.

Both Mackerras on Teldec Mozart The Symphonies and indeed Bohm on DG Mozart: The Symphonies are better attuned to the youthful elation of these works.

I had long been looking for the Jeffrey Tate set of the complete symphonies, ordered the very last one to be had at frightful expense, was delivered the wrong set (which I returned) and finally decided on the two volumes of early symphonies by Harnoncourt instead. I have one set of the later symphonies on period instruments by the Mozart academy under Jaap vd Linden which I have never really warmed to, mainly because of the scraggy sound of the band, so I nourished some trepidations when I found out that this collection too was played on period instruments. But the reviews on British Amazon were quite positive so I pushed the order button and that was that. I must say that I have not regretted the purchase yet. The music is de-light-ful (why are those later symphonies deemed to be superior to these youthfully exuberant works I wonder?), an excellent backdrop for relaxation, cooking, reading, studying, driving the car (turn up the volume, open your windows and sunroof and show those tykes with their boom-boom-boom sound machines blasting away that this guy is getting all the attention of the ladies on the zebra crossing; well those over forty-five with the a taste for the mildly eccentric anyway). And is one really in need of all Mozart's symphonies? If Tate comes along at a more reasonable price, I might say yes. Until then, both the Harnoncourts are more than adequate.