Customer Reviews

Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 21-41 [Box Set]

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It is through his symphonies that we see a musically mature Mozart. It is a fine example of the symphony itself. It is the Classical Era where the symphony began. The Haydn symphonies of course are probably the most prolific in the genre.. and some would say best. However, Mozart's later symphonies are highlights of the Classical Symphony. Marriner of course, is the best interpretor of Mozart. The symphony 25 shows from its opening movement the "dark" sound that is so definitive of the Romantic Era. Symphony no. 40 and 41 does the same. Mozart's later symphonies move from the classical to the next movement in music. These symphonies are a must have for the lovers of classical music itself... and for the lover of the music of Mozart

Obviously this is a lot of money to blow all at once. If you can possibly find it used somewhere though, don't hesitate. Marriner and company do an excellent 29th, and to have that AND the 25th AND all the late symphonies in one package is terrific. For my money, only Bruno Walter was a better interpreter of the Mozart symphonies, and then not by much.

Symphonies 21 to 41 ("Jupiter"), with the Minuet in C (K. 409). Solid performances. Are there better? Perhaps--but not in one set like this, really. I think Sir Neville shines more here than in the complete piano concerti set. So spin these discs, lie back, and float downstream. Dig it.

...and few do it better than Sir Neville Marriner. Still, go look for the complete symphonies (ASIN B0000501PD), which is all of his symphonies (some 52 or so including those that are unnumbered). This set can be found much cheaper used...I picked it up for 48 bucks on this site. It has the exact same performances of symphonies 21-41 that are here, plus another 30 or so symphonies and it's 40 bucks cheaper than this set. Look for it, and go get it. I was very impressed with the entire set, Marriner is about as steady as they come for Mozart, with the possible exception of Karl Bohm.
Two other sets to consider that cover much of the same ground, and are probably a bit better:
Mozart: Symphonies 21-41; Krips/Concertgebouw
Mozart: Symphonies 28-41; Davis/Staatskapelle Dresden

When Marriner first put the orchestra of St. Martin in the Fields on the map, the recordings were a breath of fresh air, offering exciting renditions of old bromides, giving the listener a chance to approach the experience of the audience that heard the first performances of these compositions. Most of that is gone with these recordings of the Mozart symphonies. The hallmark of the performances is prudence and compromise. Something calculated to draw in the maximum number of buyers; in other words, an economic decision, rather than an artistic one. One could do much worse, but, also, one could do much better. A fresh approach to this music is coming out with performances by the Danish Radio Sinfonietta under the direction of Adam Fischer, based on the Urtext of the New Mozart Edition, Baerenreiter Verlag, Kassel. I have Vol 6, and it will knock your socks off.

Although quite an investment, anything so encompassing of Mozart's grandeur is money well-spent. The later symphonies were when he truly perfected the art--I do like 18 & 19 however. Haffner and Linz (35 & 36) are mastered by Mariner, Brendel, and their Academy.