Mozart Piano Concertos: Complete Mozart Edition [Box set]

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Artist), Neville Marriner (Artist), Alfred Brendel (Artist), Imogen Cooper (Artist), Academy of St. Martin-in-the Field (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 18, 1991)
• Number of Discs: 12
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Philips
• ASIN: B00000410O
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #321,089 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enrich your life with Mozart, February 23, 2001

By 

Stephen A. Haines (Ottawa, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

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

If you need an introduction to Mozart, this starting point remains unmatched. While not my first Mozart, this collection was the first CD i owned. The purchase has never been regretted. Indeed, it maintains a pride of place in my shelves.

Brendel's performance throughout this series is impeccable. He delves into Mozart's music as if he'd been sitting in a salon with Mozart reviewing the composition. There is a strong sense of time and place in all the renditions of the master's expressive genius. Brendel has avoided the trap of "updating" the performance to some 20th Century idea of how they should be rendered. Brendel brings a sense of the delicacy to his performances without losing an iota of the power behind Mozart's compositions. Brendel seems to impart Mozart's evolving maturity as he recaptures the fourteen year duration over which these pieces were composed. Mozart would hear his music with pride were he here to enjoy Brendel's recreations.

This collection sits quite close to my CD player. It takes little prompting to reach for it and randomly bring Mozart back to life through Brendel's playing. Choosing a "favourite" is difficult, if not impossible, but the 21st seems selected more often than not. Brendel's talent takes the listener into realms of musical rapture whichever concerto is played. It's impossible not to listen to these pieces without feeling a sense of reverence, both for the composer and his modern interpreter.

Marriner and The Academy undeservedly have been overlooked here. To a new generation it must be noted that Neville Marriner kept the Academy of St Martin in the Fields at the apex of the Baroque for many years. This orchestra is the ideal choice to accompany Brendel's rendition of Mozart's music. While the initial cost of this set may seem intimidating, the investment is more than worth the outlay. Take the plunge, remembering that you'll be enriching your life with the purchase.

33 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best complete Piano Concertos, February 3, 2000

By 

Walter O. Koenig "Amoxtli" (San Diego, California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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

For the complete collection of Mozart's Piano Concertos I chose this one. I will admit that I listen to mostly No's 8, 17, 19, 22-27 (22 & 23 are superb. No. 22 rocks! ) most of the time. But I listen to the other discs also, and I can tell you they are all excellent. I listen to these nowadays while writing in the mornings and they are great companions....

If you're serious about the Concertos, then this collection is just right for you. Brendel is on the mark almost all the time, (I own six performances of No.20 for example, and his cadenzas are the best) and Mariner and the Academy, well, I almost hate to admit it, they are better than anybody else I have heard in this type of collection. --- Email me if you find a better collection !

Mozart never ceases to amaze me.

12 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Music from Heaven., November 23, 2000

By 

Tobias Knaut (Sondershausen, Thüringen, Germany) - See all my reviews

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

This is music from heaven. All the wonderful Piano Concertos are here on twelve discs. All are excellent. The Piano playing of Alfred Brendel is superb and the Orchestra with Neville Mariner is also very good. I like the most No. 8, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25. They are beautiful to listen to. It is the work and inspiration of a genius, just like me, ha ha ha. If you want to go to heaven without leaving your House, then listen to this music.