Mozart: Flute Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 / Concerto for Flute & Harp in C, K. 299, 313, 314

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Composer), Claudio Abbado (Conductor), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Emmanuel Pahud (flute) (Performer), Marie-Pierre Langlamet (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Emmanuel Pahud (flute), Marie-Pierre Langlamet
• Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Claudio Abbado
• Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
• Audio CD (July 8, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B000002RYG
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #246,513 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Only the first of Mozart's two flute concertos, K. 313 in G, was actually written for the flute; the second, K. 314, originally in C, was written for Mannheim oboist Friedrich Ramm and reworked by Mozart to fulfill a burdensome commission. But flutists have long treated it as one of their own--perhaps on the grounds that some of the things Mozart is reported to have said about their instrument were unkind enough that they shouldn't have to suffer the additional humiliation of only one concerto from his pen. In any case, these two works, yoked to the Concerto for Flute and Harp in C, K. 299, make a nicely filled CD. That is the case with this 1996 recording, which features the talented, twentysomething first flutist of the Berlin Philharmonic, Emmanuel Pahud, together with the Berliners and Claudio Abbado. Pahud is an elegant player with exceptional technique and a French sensibility--just the ticket for this music. He is given a lot of presence by EMI's engineers, though not too forward a placement, and receives exquisite support from his BPO colleagues. High marks for tone and breath control, as well as for fluidity, agility, and overall musicality, if not for ornamentation and other performance-practice niceties. Even so, these are winning performances, and Pahud makes such a strong case for Concerto No. 2, you'd swear Mozart meant it for the flute all along. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Memorable Mozart, June 26, 2000

By 

Marty Ross (Des Moines, Iowa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mozart: Flute Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 / Concerto for Flute & Harp in C, K. 299, 313, 314 (Audio CD)

It is always a joy to sink into the sumptuous sonorities of the Mozart Concerto for Flute and Harp, and this recording doesn't disappoint. Rarely do you find recordings of the Mozart flute concertos performed by not only virtuoso soloists, but also accompanied by a world class orchestra. Emmanuel Pahud performs the concertos with the orchestra in which he holds the position of Principal Flute. His tone is always bright, clear and focused and he plays with an absolutely effortless technique. Beautiful flute playing by a fine musician. As would be expected, the Berlin Philharmonic is flawless and Maestro Abbado treats the listener to beautifly shaped musical phrasing. This performance is definately contemporary in its sound and will not be mistaken for a period instrument performance. I you are a lover of Mozart, and especially the wind concertos, this album would be a fine addition to your collection.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Utmost delicacy and elegance in Mozart, July 14, 2006

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Santa Fe Listener (Santa Fe, NM USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mozart: Flute Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 / Concerto for Flute & Harp in C, K. 299, 313, 314 (Audio CD)

Emmanuel Pahud became the principal flutist of the Berlin Phil. at 22, a rare feat, and like his predecessor James Galway, he has gone on to an international solo career. A Swiss-French by birth, Pahud plays in an elegant Gallic style, but even more than Rampal and Nicolet, he aims at utmost delicacy--these Mozart concertos aren't extroverted. The blending of fltue and harp in the K. 285 concerto is quite ravishing, and EMI has provided perfect sonics, totally clear and natural.

Abbado's approach to Mozart tends to be a bit neutral in its clarity and lack of overt emotion, but in this case his style matches Pahd's quite well. Mozart famously disliked the flute, despite the two exquisite concertos he wort for the instrument (the second adapted from a work for oboe). I'm no great lover of the flute, either, but I found both solo concretos enticingly elegant and supple, words that apply to Pahud's playing in general.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mozart: Flute Concertos: No. 1 in G, K. 313; No 2 in D, K. 314; Concerto for Flute & Harp in C, K. 299, November 30, 2009

By 

Ruth Mcclain (Memphis, TN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mozart: Flute Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 / Concerto for Flute & Harp in C, K. 299, 313, 314 (Audio CD)

This is an excellent recording, as are all of Pahud's that I have. I highly recommend it.