Customer Reviews

Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 5, 6 & 8

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

 

 

Piano Concerto No. 5 is where Mozart really came into his own on the keyboard. Although there are technically four earlier Piano Concertos written when Mozart was eleven (check out Perahia's recording), they were all based on the movements of other composers. On Concertos 5, 6 & 8, Mozart's genius on the keyboard unfolds before our ears. The wonderful thing is that unlike Mozart's Symphonies, which don't hit their best stride until Symphony No. 29 or 30 in my opinion, his 5th Piano Concerto is as incredible as his 25th! Daniel Barenboim recorded all Mozart's Concertos for Teldec and all of the ones I have heard are very good (though many prefer his earlier Cycle on EMI). The Berlin Philharmonic couldn't be in better form and the digital sound is impeccable. A truly first rate performance of the first true concertos.

I always have been a sucker for the early piano concertos of Mozart. Whereas many writers say that the mature concertos begin with No. 9, I think all the concertos on this CD are marvelous achievements. Mozart wrote No. 5 when he was 17, the other two when he was 20. Barenboim always has been a marvelous Mozart pianist and conductor, but I think his own history as a child prodigy gives him a special insight into the works here at hand. He knows that there is nothing immature about the musical expression in these works. If anything, there is a sober wistfulness portrayed here, as the young Mozart expresses his natural disposition that would bloom into his full scale world view some years later. Barenboim's pianism is delicate and affectionate where required, alternating with moments of full scale virtuosity. The orchestral playing throughout is highly sensitive, with an intimate tone that nevertheless blends well with the orchestra' famous sonority. This is wonderful Mozart playing, and I would recommend this CD as a first choice to anyone who is unfamiliar with these concertos.