3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mozart would have approved!, June 29, 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: Mozart: Symphonies, arranged by Hummel (Audio CD)
In the mechanical, academic, sterile performance practices of today, Mozart's music often comes off as a shopping list of Classical cliches with some interesting and often beautiful ideas mixed in. This performance is fresh and intense, like listening to Mozart thinking. Some of the tempi are breathlessly fast as one might expect the speed of Mozart's thinking to be. Although the sound suffers somewhat from occasional stridency, especially when the flute comes in, the overall sound is invigorating. Hill's pianism is remarkable in its cleanliness and verve as well as its flexibility and drive. Nothing he does sounds forced. The ensemble is a bit too tight in this reviewer's taste. Hummel makes us feel grateful to him for making these arrangements. One wishes for more. The writing for the piano reflects what many of the period reviews said about his playing which was refined and facile with a beautiful touch. Hill has captured these qualities remarkably well. The piano is a bit "undermic"ed but is otherwise a perfect choice for this CD.
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