Customer Reviews

Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 25, 26, 27, 29 & 32

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I wish I could express how wonderfully Marriner always conducts Mozart. Suffice it to say that these symphonies are recorded both with the technical brilliance for which the ASMF is known, and an unusually large depth of sound from what is, after all, a chamber orchestra. There are so many special touches unique to this recording (such as the diminuendo to pianissimo at the end of the first movement of the 25th) that should not be missed. Note, too, the sense of spontaneity throughout: nowhere do these symphonies "plod along"; on the contrary, the ASMF obviously has every note down pat, and is playing for the sheer joy of it. This is an incredible album.

This is one of my favorite recordings of some of my favorite Mozart symphonies. These symphonies are from the middle period of his life, and they show Mozart's attainment of a new level of skill and sophistication in his orchestral works. They also show the classical symphony taking it's final form(the final form of the classical symphony was actually Haydn's creation, but Mozart was a follower of Haydn's works) of four movements with the first and the fourth being fast, the second being slow and the third being a dancing minuet. (It is also of minor interst that Symphony 25 is in a minor key, because an intersting fact is that Mozart was the only composer of the classical era to consistantly write works in both major and MINOR keys. Most composers stuck to major keys, thus producing mostly cheery and uplifting, often comical works). The performance of The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields is superb, under the conduction of Marriner, one of the century's great Mozart conductors. The playing is superb and in classical style(not romanticized like so many other conductors tend to do to Mozart). The sound is also great. The recording is clear and loud thanks to the church's acoustics (I believe these are recorded in St Martin's church) and the amazing analog to digital transfer. This disc is a must have for anybody, Mozart fans and non-fans alike.

Other than works by Vivaldi (of course), the first movement of Mozart's Symphony No. 25 in G Minor, titled Allegro con brio, is the most joyful piece of orchestral music I've ever heard. Thanks largely to the film AMADEUS, it is familiar to many who otherwise might not listen to or buy classical music. I have compared Neville Marriner's tempo and phrasing with those of at least a dozen other conductors, and the first nine notes tell it all: only Marriner's conducting of it gets a perfect "brio rating" of TEN! In fact, his conducting of ALL of Mozart's symphonies (some of them rather oddly constructed) is consistently excellent. If you ever have the chance to purchase Marriner's CD sets of the complete symphonies of Mozart, by all means do so. In the mean time, this collection of five will give you hundreds of hours of intense enjoyment.

I was lucky to find this CD - the local independent book and music store helped me look up the best recording using The Penguin Companion to Classical Music. This CD was rated highly and so I bought it. Its one of the best classical music CDs that I own. The violins are crisp and clean, the pace is lively and never drags, and there are no errant noises (like coughing) in the background. The music puts a zip in your step and a smile on your face. Its the kind of CD that will make people ask who is that? Because they like it and haven't heard it. A lot of wonderful music for the money, and not a bad song in the bunch.

Just to point out an inaccuracy in the previous review, symphonies 26 and 32 are complete. These works are in the form of one movement consisting of sections in place of the usual separate movements divided up with one movement to a track. Understandable error - I wondered about this myself when I first saw the recording.

Anyway, these are fine performances of these works. Marriner's crisp yet elegant Mozart is excellent. My only reason for giving four rather than five stars is that to me the sound is a little bit on the strident side. I would have preferred more ambience, depth and transparency to the sound - but it's not that bad -still a very recommendable recording.

I never tire of listening to these beautifully balanced and exciting performances. They ooze musicality and are so satisfying. 29 in A is simply fabulous - amongst the best I've ever heard.

I have heard some of these symphonies on the radio. Mozart makes me feel optimist, almost happy. I think is my favorite composer.

All the reviews on this page are for the wrong Cd. The Cd shown on this page is not by Marriner. It is a fairly new Cd directed by a young man called Rohrer. Amazon, you have made a boob. Plese correct!

Think you're buying a CD with 5 Mozart symphonies on it?
Think again. I just received it and was stunned to see that only 1 movement of symphonies nos. 26 and 32 are included. What happened to the other 4 movements? It's a mystery.
Now, while I am disgruntled, I have to point out that this is not Amazon's fault, as it clearly shows on the disk contents that those two symphonies are incomplete. But who would think to check? Not me.
But now you know.

That said, these are wonderful performances as have been noted by others here; so if you just tell yourself that you're getting 3 symphonies for a bargain price you will be happy.
Or, maybe you'll choose to spend a little more and get one of the other CDs offered that include the entire symphonies.

This CD is outstanding. From the thrill of the opening of Symphony 23 to the playing of # 32, this CD provides a superb listening experience.