Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 35, 40 & 41

Wolfgang A. Mozart (Composer), George Szell (Conductor), Cleveland Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Cleveland Orchestra
• Conductor: George Szell
• Composer: Wolfgang A. Mozart
• Audio CD (April 5, 1991)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00000276J
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #223,521 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Symphony No.35 In D Major, K. 385 'Haffner': I. Allegro con spirito

2. Symphony No.35 In D Major, K. 385 'Haffner': II. Andante

3. Symphony No.35 In D Major, K. 385 'Haffner': III. Menuetto; Trio

4. Symphony No.35 In D Major, K. 385 'Haffner': IV. Finale: Presto

5. Symphony No.40 in G minor, K.550: I. Molto allegro

6. Symphony No.40 in G minor, K.550: II. Andante

7. Symphony No.40 in G minor, K.550: III. Menuetto: Allegretto; Trio

8. Symphony No.40 in G minor, K.550: IV. Allegro assai

9. Symphony No.41 in C major, K.551 'Jupiter': I. Allegro vivace

10. Symphony No.41 in C major, K.551 'Jupiter': II. Andante cantabile

11. Symphony No.41 in C major, K.551 'Jupiter': III. Menuetto: Allegretto; Trio

12. Symphony No.41 in C major, K.551 'Jupiter': IV. Molto allegro

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars simply excellent, March 30, 2000

By 

Ray Barnes (Surrey, British Columbia Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 35, 40 & 41 (Audio CD)

For those who enjoy Mozart played on modern instruments, this Szell recording is well worth hearing even at full price. To those who find this sort of practice objectionable, I would mention that in the course of the compositon of the piano concertos, the piano itself changed dramatically in number of keys and range of sound, and Mozart, without hesitation, exploited every new sound opportunity that he could. Had these orchestral instruments been available to Mozart, he would almost certainly have written for them. All 3 symphonies can be accommodated onto one disc as Szell has omitted exposition repeats. This decision does not in any way diminish the stature of any of these pieces; the Jupiter in particular provides ample weight by the accuracy and precision of the orchestral playing. The sound quality from Severance Hall in Cleveland is very good for early stereo, and practically every note of the scores can be heard clearly. Szell plays these scores without interpretative exaggeration, letting the notes speak for themselves, and this disciplined approach works as well in his Mahler 6th as it does here. A very generous programme at a modest cost. Strongly recommended.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Glorious! Outstanding!, September 7, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 35, 40 & 41 (Audio CD)

I have several other performances of all three of these Symphonies recorded on this CD, but not one of those performances equals that as performed by the Cleveland Orchestra and George Szell on this wonderful and inspiring CD. I don't think I have ever heard the Haffner Symphony played as well, especially the Finale, where the speed and clarity work to bring this movement to almost heavenly heights in music. Symphony 40 is the Orchestra and Szell at their finest, with the music sounding so rich and emotional. The Jupiter Symphony, with a much briefer "molto allegro" than I have listened to in other performances, is spectacularily played, with all the finese and power that Mozart would have wanted.

But this CD is worth the price for just the Haffner Symphony alone. It's the best recorded performance of this symphony that I have heard to date, performed by an orchestra that has, in my opinion, no equal in the world. Please purchase this CD and be reborn again in the glorious music of Mozart!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a double bassist's point of view, February 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 35, 40 & 41 (Audio CD)

Rarely are these symphonies heard with such energy and clarity. In particular, the recording of Mozart's 35th symphony is the best I've heard The tempos are quick but never rushed. A note to you musicians; this recording is a pefect tool for studying Mozart's late symphonies. The clarity of the final movements will be especially helpfull as you try to learn all those notes for the first time.