Customer Reviews

Mozart: Symphonies No.25, No.28 & No.29

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This CD was my first excursion beyond Mozart's last six symphonies (for those I highly recommend the re-release of Karl Bohm's 2-for-1 budget set on DG), and what a delight it is. All three symphonies were written when Mozart was about 18 years of age, and they have the aura of fully-formed genius about them. They overflow with vitality, and #25 (the only other symphony Mozart wrote in a minor key other than #40) will just explode on you with its urgency and drama. The first movement was actually used in the film "Amadeus," at the beginning when they're rushing the ailing Salieri through the streets of Vienna. Turn up the volume for this one, because MacKerras really lets it rip, and I'd be surprised if you don't recognize it right away. Ditto for the first movement of #29. In fact, all three of these symphonies seem to belong on one recording together, just as Mozart's last three symphonies ideally do, but for different reasons. Here they share a degree of exuberance and willingness for experimentation that makes them instantly appealing.

Years ago I had an old EMI budget recording of MacKerras doing Mozart's final two symphonies, and he really held nothing back on those. If anything, these Telarc recordings ratchet up the intensity, and I really like the extent to which the recording engineers do the little things on this CD, like accenting the horns in the final movement of #29, without in any way undermining the singing quality of the Prague string section. This is an inspirational selection, beautifully performed, and recorded as only Telarc can do it. In other words, a must.

These are three symphonies of the composer's middle period, written when he was 17 -18! First the tragic No.25 in g- minor,well known to us by now from the film Amadeus (this is the so called "little g-minor symphony",) then the lesser known No.28
charming, witty and courtly and finally the magisterial A -major
No.29, one of Karajan's favourite.
Sir Charles conducts with verve, moves the music forward with well chosen tempi.. with great style for Mozart..small orchestra an advantage for clear textures..great acoustics..Highly recommended...

When the first dark notes of Symphony No. 25 come alive, I feel as if I have been transported back to the 18th century and Mozart is standing beside me. These symphonies are recognized by many experts as the first real strides Mozart made towards developing his own style and fully displaying the powers of his musical genius. The 25th symphony is quite well-known (it is the first music you hear at the beginning of the film Amadeus) however the 28th and 29th are less well known, but very inventive. The accoustics on this cd are vivid and feature very memorable performances by this famous conductor and orchestra. This music will take your breath away and leave your ears and your soul yearning for more!

I bought this CD after listening to at least three versions of each symphonies one after the other.

It was well worth it.

To me these are one of the best interpretations of these symphonies.

The downside is that this is a small orchestra so you might get more detail out of these symphonies by another orchestra if have a top of the line audio system. But that is a minor issue for me.

Otherwise I would recommend these without reservation. I have been a fan of Mozart over a decade and I continue to appreciate Mozart through these symphonies.