Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 40 & 41 / Bernstein

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Composer), Leonard Bernstein (Conductor), Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Leonard Bernstein
• Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
• Audio CD (July 24, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000001GDY
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #393,915 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Symphony No. 41 in C major ('Jupiter'), K. 551: Allegro vivace

2. Symphony No. 41 in C major ('Jupiter'), K. 551: Andante cantabile

3. Symphony No. 41 in C major ('Jupiter'), K. 551: Menuetto & Trio, Allegretto

4. Symphony No. 41 in C major ('Jupiter'), K. 551: Molto Allegro

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

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

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

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bernstein's towering Jupiter - a milestone., January 8, 2004

By 

Janos Gardonyi "jgarch2002" (Toronto, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

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

I firmly believe that Leonard Bernstein found his pinnacle as a conductor with his years with the Vienna Philharmonic. After the angry and disgraceful departure of Karajan, the
orchestra welcomed the amicable and enormously talented Bernstein with open arms.They both had a lot to give to each other: VPO its incredible skill,long history of musical tradition, superb virtuosity and sound and Lenny his emotional commitment, interpretive gifts ,( specially in Mahler), plus his talents as a composer. They got along very well. Out of this happy symbiosis this unbelievable recording was born, not the least with the help of Deutsche Gramophone's fine engineers.
To cut the story short: This recording is given a "rosette" by Penguin Guide and is rated as one of the essential discs of the works. From the first note of the Jupiter onward we are captured by the authoritative grip of Bernstein and the rich, full sound of the Philharmonic. All instruments, the strings, winds , the bases come out brilliantly. The incredible last movement of the Jupiter is something I have never heard before, the virtuosity of the orchestra and Berstein's sustained control and command is simply astounding.
The G-minor symphony which is exactly opposite in mood, rhythm and its forces is also a very good performance, just the right tempo at the beginning and light on its feet in the last movement. Top recommendation. Do not hesitate to buy this disc,
sound is remastered digital, but demonstration quality.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best of the late Bernstein, February 1, 2002

By 

J. Buxton "cantabile" (Waltham, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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

These performances are consistent with other late recordings from Bernstein, in that he tends to become somewhat ponderous. However, unlike some of his latter day efforts, he holds these two symphonies together very well and it seems he really has something special to say in every phrase. To my ears the Jupiter comes off the best, with speeds taken closer to what has become customary over recent years. Bernstein and the VPO make no effort to pretend these are "period" or "historically informed" performances. In fact, one could almost call this "Romantic" Mozart in some spots, but the important point is that none of the charm associated with Mozart is lost at all. The sound from the VPO here displays all the warmth and character we normally hear from this great orchestra. If you need further recommendation for this recording, it is worth noting that the editors of the Penguin Guide, who usually have very little good to say about Bernstein recordings, have given this disc their highest recommendation in their latest edition. I concur.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Individual, November 12, 2008

By 

David Saemann - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

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

Two of my favorite Mozart recordings are Bernstein's N.Y. Philharmonic recordings of these two symphonies. I have them on a Japanese CD, on LP, and originally on cassette. Nearly 20 years later, Bernstein returned to these pieces with the Vienna Philharmonic, and there are substantial differences. First of all, there are quite a bit more repeats, which I think is all to the good for the structure of these works. Secondly, Bernstein seems to have heard some of the period instruments movement's Mozart. In particular, the brass in the Jupiter are very assertive in a way I never have heard in a modern instruments performance. I find it rather annoying, since it adds little to the orchestral texture. Thirdly, the Vienna is a very different orchestra than the New York. The New Yorkers play with a larger sonority, and an especially biting string sound in contrast to the soft-hued Viennese. Finally, Bernstein's phrasing in Vienna is so much sadder. The slow movement of the Jupiter is considerably slower, and the main theme of the last movement of No. 40 is so fast that it is unnerving. These certainly are interesting, beautifully played and recorded performances, but they don't stand up to repeated hearings as well as Bernstein's more mainstream New York versions.