Customer Reviews

Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 20-23

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Here's a solid bundle of Mozart's most august work at a price low enough to stuff the stockings. Annie Fischer renders these four canonical Mozart concertos with unfussy polish and grace. The sound on disc one, containing the merrier Concertos Nos. 21 and 22, is somewhat poorer than on the second, but the sensuous ebullience remains. The stormy D minor concerto is interpreted without overweening pathos, while the central movement of No. 23 exhibits shattering despair. You'll want more recordings of these works of course, but (especially at its bargain price) it would hardly be excusable not to add this lovely set.

Marvelous musicianship exhibited in this double CD set. Fischer's interpretation is beautiful with wonderful, flowing lines. Analog recording but with clean clear sound. Liner notes are scant but, with such mainstream works as these, they're not required. A great value at four times the price. In short, a steal.

(Sir) Adrian Boult's 1960s recordings of Mozart set a new standard. Fast and aggressive, with relatively little sentimentality, they have remained the standard for many listeners until the present day. The sound quality, as befits the manner, is bright even a little dry and if you like a more romantic style you will not like it. Personally today I do find this approach just a little too severe. Boult, for example, allows few if any grace notes. But these are fine historic recordings and well worth the price.