Customer Reviews

Mozart: Piano Concertos for Piano and Orchestra No.21 in C Major, K.467 / No.27 in B-flat Major, K.595

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I happened to catch the first half of this CD, piano concerto no. 21, on public radio just now. I had frozen food sitting in my car beside me, but I couldn't leave because I didn't want to miss a note. I sat there for half an hour, not caring that my groceries for the next few days will probably suffer from freezer burn. Every five minutes, I said to myself, "Who *are* you?"

This is truly an amazing performance. So many pianists, being bound to an instrument that cannot be tuned "on the fly" as it were, don't seem to be aware that it is possible to affect tone on the piano, and so their playing sounds 2-dimensional (I would say "flat," but don't want to be misunderstood). Perahia is one of the only performers I have ever heard who does not suffer from this failing. Each note is perfectly executed, and rings like a bell; his playing so fluid, there are no obvious stops and starts between phrases--it is like listening to a bubbling fountain. His blending is perfection; when his part requires a soloist's flair, the notes sing out beautifully without overwhelming the orchestra; when he is supposed to be "part of the group," i.e., not the soloist, he blends so well that he almost sounds like one of the other instruments. At times I could almost swear he had taken up the flute or oboe for part of the performance.

In lauding Perahia, though, let me not neglect to mention the beautiful sound of the orchestra (Chamber Orchestra of Europe). They, too, seem divinely inspired, never overwhelming, perfectly in tune (which is rather rare these days). They, too, are perfectly blended: not a single note sounding either superfluous or harsh. Truly, you cannot separate the orchestra from the soloist in this performance.

I cannot say enough about this recording; on the basis of hearing the first part of it alone, I am giving it 5 stars.

What a pleasure it is to listen to Perahia's performance of the 21st Concerto after becoming accustomed to a recording on period instruments. Much as I enjoy period performance in its own way, there is just no substitute for the polish and regal finesse of modern instruments. And who better than Murray Perahia to demonstrate the assets of the modern piano, such as its rich but pure tone and the way it permits even scales? The Chamber Orchestra of Europe sounds full-bodied of tone, too, in this excellent recording but they never overwhelm the soloist and always remain stylishly within scale. The performance of the 27th Concerto is no less understanding and clean-lined although I seem to recall that the Serkin/Szell recording for CBS brought out more of its valedictory qualities. These are not the only recordings you will want of these works but they certainly are centrally recommendable.

Given that the Mozart Concerto K 467 is probably my favorite piece of music I do not judge its interpretations lightly. I find the version to be sublime. Mind you my measuring stick is the Andante which must have a good balance between the bass of the orchestra and the piano melody. I like the Concero No. 27 but I don't think it's in the same league as the no. 21., but it's still a beautiful piece of music. Moreover, Perahia is one of the very best Mozart pianists and this version is excellent.
I recommend Mozart's piano concerto no. 9,15, 17, 25, 20, 24 for thsoe whoc can appreciate the intricate contrast of melancholy and more 'optimistic' melodies that Mozart was so good at weaving. I believ that the piano concertos represent Mozart's best work and provide the most accurate glimpse of the man's character. Gregarious and playful but also introverted, contemplative and melancholy. He was truly human. Yet, somehow, these human qualities inspire the divine. if there is a god he is to be found in this music. I'm not exagerating, Listen.. and I challenge you to find an adequate way to describe the music. Goethe, Stendhal, Chopin and countless others tried, but......

I am a fan of Mr.Perahia's Mozart Piano Concertos.
This recording is truly exceptional, not only among his Mozart recordings but you may regard this CD the best piano concerto ever recorded!

The sound quality is very good for Sony classical label, which is often edgy and overly bright on revealing audiophile playback system.

I just cannot describe the gallantry and finesse of this remarkable recording.
Music starts where word ends its meaning.

Just listen to Mr.Perahia's playing.

Bravo! Maestro.

I'm so glad that Murray Perahia did not shy away from attempting at least one more cd of Mozart piano concertos. Having always been a great champion of his complete box set with the English Chamber Orchestra from the 70s & 80s (see my review,) I relished the oppurtunity to get this disc when it came out in 1991. I have enjoyed it emmensely ever since. These performances Perahia's and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe ( the artist conducts from the keyboard, once again) are as refined and articulate as those included in the box set with the ECO, with an even sharper focus in the recording of the pianist's solo passages.
I agree wholeheartedly with other reviewers that the famous C-major concerto, K. 467, is beautifully done here, but I am actually more taken with Perahia's newer rendition of concerto No.27, K. 595. After the K. 488 from the complete box set, this has become my favorite of all of the pianist's Mozart. What a wonderful job he does on the B-flat Major concerto!
It's just like Yankee baseball great Yogi Berra used to say: it's deja vu, all over again! This Mozart concerto cd with the COE is another grand triumph for Murray Perahia, and will easily please even the most discriminating of muscial tastes. Highly recommended, this disc takes an honored place next to Mozart: The Complete Piano Concertos, Perahia's magnum opus. A must have to own, and a joy to listen to!

I love this CD. Murray Perahia is an acknowledged premiere interpreter of Mozart. A must for Mozart fans.

I am not as enthusiastic about this 1991 Perahia release as some others here. This is a follow-up to Perahia's earlier Mozart concerto series on Columbia, and features the pianist also conducting the Chamber Orchestra of Europe.

The disc starts off with a luminous, riveting Mozart 21st concerto, K. 467, probably the best performance of this very famous piece I have ever heard. The famous Andante is played lusciously and with love. The disc is worth getting for this performance alone and it is the version of this concerto that I will turn to in the future.

The interpretation of Mozart's last piano concerto, the 27th in B-flat, is a mixed bag. It starts of well but loses energy and focus in the opening Allegro. The Larghetto receives what I think is an indifferent performance with the intensity and passion that brings so much to the 21st concerto absent. I recommend the excellent Andras Schiff/Sandor Vegh performance on Decca as an alternative. This 27th concerto seems to give performers fits - the classic Clara Haskil/Ferenc Fricsay performance on DG I think is a miss, for example (I realize this is an out-of-consensus opinion, but neither Haskil nor Fricsay bring passion or commitment to their interpretation) - and the Perahia interpretation on this release is OK but runs out of gas.

Finally, there are the bad sonics. My experience with Sony releases from circa 1990 indicates that their sound engineering department was going through some... em, troubles, and the performers aren't served well here. The engineers perhaps diagnosed a problem with treble harshness in digital recordings and reacted by decreasing the volume of the treble, and the bass as well for good measure. So the recording features an unusual level of treble and bass roll-off as well as some harsh digititis. This engineering problem is unfortunate because the performance of the 21st concerto is one for the ages.

Oh! These recordings are so... sublime. His touch and timing are absolutely masterful. It soars. This is the best recording of #21 I have ever hear. Just listen to it!

Highest recommendation.

I cannot speak too highly of this album and the fine interpretation given it by Mr. Perahia and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. This is some of the most beautiful music Mozart ever wrote, and to have these two concertos together is a wonderful choice. Perahia is a subtle and skillful pianist, and still gives his orchestra their due. Highly recommended.