2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stimulating, May 2, 2009
This review is from: Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 38, 27 & 39 (Audio CD)
This is a highly distinguished album of Mozart Symphonies. Marriner has said that the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields' collaboration with Alfred Brendel in the Piano Concertos changed the orchestra's approach to Mozart. That seems to be evident on this disc. Whereas warmth of string tone seemed to dominate Marriner's Mozart conducting when he was younger, here structural elements are more important. Allegros are very fast, with some wicked phrasing in the violins. Rarely does Marriner relax his tempos. Almost needless to say, the Academy plays with beautiful tone and superb ensemble. While these interpretations may not be as moving as some others, they are tremendously invigorating and offer much food for thought. The Symphony No. 27 receives a more relaxed rendition than the later works. The sound engineering on the disc is full and detailed, good early digital recording. This may not be satisfying as a first purchase of Symphonies Nos. 38 and 39, but it certainly will provide good repeated listening.
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