Mozart: Symphonies [Box Set] [Box set]

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Composer), Neville Marriner (Conductor), Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields
• Conductor: Neville Marriner
• Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
• Audio CD (January 10, 2006)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• 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: B0000501PD
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #234,232 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

The Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields performs Mozart's Symphonies under the direction of Neville Marriner, the same musicians who gave us the soundtrack to the motion pisture Amadeus.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magisterial Mozart, January 24, 2010

By 

Neal Harrington "expert marksman" (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mozart: Symphonies [Box Set] (Audio CD)

As the liner notes suggest, Mozart's symphonies may not be as accomplished as his operas and piano concertos. They do, however, capture wonderfully his remarkable development. The early symphonies, in particular, provide an exhilarating document of the young composer's discovery of his passion for music.

And these beautifully-remastered recordings are magisterial, articulate, and soaring. Marriner clearly has an exceptional, intuitive understanding of these works and conducts The Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields with remarkable restraint and control, demanding of his musicians perfection. At the same time, these performances are spirited and overflow with joy and elation. Marriner's tempi and dynamics seem perfect, capturing the compelling force of the more dramatic movements and giving the slow movements an exquisite, gossamer finish. Where he seems to take minor liberties, they are not intrusive or cloying, but rather stop you in your tracks and at times take your breath away.

And all of this from historically-informed performances? Indeed. In fact, as the first reviewer notes, this (paradoxically) lends the works incredible power. These recordings are inspired and moving. Each instrument is attentively mic'ed and never eclipsed by another. The sound quality is both airy and crisp.

Admittedly, I am not familiar with other complete sets of Mozart's symphonies, although the recordings I have heard of individual works are heavy in comparison and without Marriner's nuance. Highly recommended.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid Performance, February 3, 2010

By 

J. Webb (Dallas, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mozart: Symphonies [Box Set] (Audio CD)

Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields always does a very creditable job of providing a realistic and crisp sound for listeners to absorb and enjoy. Personally, I have been playing this set in my office for a few weeks now and have received several complements from people who do not even fully appreciate classical music. What is it about Mozart that brings out the best in people?