Customer Reviews

Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik / Serenata Notturna / Lodron Serenade No. 2

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This is probably my favorite recording of Mozart's most famous serenades. Karajan plays the music well because he plays it lightly, not like some other conductors who totally over-romanticize Mozart. The tempos are quick, the playing is superb, and the sound is excellent digital sound. Karajan's precision and his need to bring out the beauty in music really works for these Mozart pieces, which when played like this, can truly make you believe that you're listening to the most beautiful music ever written(that title, however, in my opinion, goes to Bach's Mass In B Minor). The only other version of this music that even compares is Karl Bohm's, due largely to the fact that he was truly the great Mozart conductor of the century. Still, in this one instance, I must give Karajan the edge with Mozart. If you don't own these pieces, I suggest immediately purchasing this disc. If you already own other versions, buy this as a supplement, but I guarantee it will replace the others as your top choice after a listening.

Karajan was devoted to Mozart, and we have major recordings from him covering five decades. In general his style hasn't worn well, attracting criticisms that it is variously too slick, too polished, detached, overblown, etc. All the usual charges against a conductor who isns't up to the minute. These digital readings are awfully polished, too much so to be totally convincing. But I recommend this CD for anyone who wants to hear the incomparable unanimity of the Berlin strings. Few examples could be found to demonstrate such astonishing perfection of ensemble. The chief attraction issn't Eine Kleine Machtmusick but the delightful Diverimento for strings and two horns K. 287, an inspired half hour of Rococo panache.