Customer Reviews

Mozart: The Violin Sonatas

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Recently I compared three new mozart violine sonata recordings (Hhilary Hahn, Anne Sophie Mutter, Rachel Podger). I also compared these recording to my favorite Grumiaux's.
Until recently, I was not a great fan of ASM or Hilary Hahn. I was rather a enthusiastic fan of Podger and Manze (I have all of Manze's and most of Podger's).
But I have to confess that Mozart by authentic appoach and fresh young Hahn's approach did not move my heart at all.
Mutter's Mozart stirred and moved my heart so intensely that I could'nt do anything when hearing the music.
Mutter's Mozart may be odd to the listener who is familiar to authentic approach or Grumiax's gracious but too velvety approach. But her Mozart has enormous emotional power. Her playing sounds like opera aria containing various emotions and various stories. She sometimes whispers, sometimes sobs and sometimes crys (esp. No. 304 although I prefer Mutter's Berlin Recital recording)
I strongly recommend this recording. It's not a background music like many recent recordings. It's a real music that can heal our souls.

When Anne-Sophie Mutter and Lambert Orkis were in Boston last fall, I attended the concert that featured some of Mozart's violin sonatas from these recordings. While I enjoyed the immediacy of the live performance, I felt that Ms. Mutter tended to overwhelm Mr. Orkis both in volume and style. That was a shame because the piano parts in Mozart's violin sonatas are always at least as important as the violin parts. Having been a little disappointed, I was, however, wowed during the encores when suddenly a balance appeared. Ms. Mutter was quieter and more restrained and Mr. Orkis seemed less constrained. It was magical.

Thus encouraged, I bought a copy of this CD set, and both performers graciously autographed it.

On arriving home and turning the music on, I was stunned! This was much better music than I had just heard, even during the encores.

I don't recall ever enjoying a recording more than a live concert of the same music by the same performers, but there's no comparison in this case. Both Ms. Mutter and Mr. Orkis soar enthusiastically . . . while also retreating tactfully and touchingly where that's appropriate. The balance between the two performers is almost perfect.

Some people criticize Ms. Mutter for putting too much passion and personal style into classical works. In this case, there's a bit of restraint in delivering that passion and style that takes Mozart from being a composer from a prior century and transforms his music into a rewarding emotional presence now. The exuberance of his genius seems to flow from both performers as they provide a modern (but not too modern) interpretation of this exceptional music.

I find myself listening with new understanding to these sonatas virtually every day.

For Anne Sophie-Mutter fans, there's no doubt that this is one of her top five recordings. If you don't own it, you've missed a treat.

This set of CD's is a must buy for anybody who is a fan of Mozart's music and/or a fan of Anne-Sophie Mutter's playing. The greatest moments of these sonatas by Mozart happen in the slow movements where Mozart is at his most profound. Ms. Mutter and her pianist Lambert Orkis take these movements to heart, providing performances which are stunning to say the least. In Mozart's music not a note is out of place, and in these performances every note is handled with great care.

Anne-Sophie Mutter burst on to world stage performing Mozart's music. She is known for her interpretations of his music. Ms. Mutter adds considerably to that reputation with this set of recordings. Mozart's music is beautiful and Ms. Mutter's playing is beautiful. You cannot go wrong with this set of CD's!

First of all, it must be said that these are unjustly neglected masterpieces. The truth is that rarely does one hear any of the Mozart violin sonatas performed in recitals. Virtuosos don't program them because they are not considered technically challenging. On the other hand, the "authentic performance" trend has tended to straitjacket these pieces and made the playing pale and bland. That Anne-Sophie Mutter, perhaps the foremost violin virtuoso of our age, has decided to play and record 16 of these masterpieces is something to be grateful for. That she is fully in tune with the élan and dramatic potential of these pieces is simply divine fortune. Her approach can only be characterized as operatic, in the good sense of the word. Listening to these performances is akin to listening to a masterful story teller giving us fresh versions of long familiar tales. All in all, the best gift one could have hoped for in this Mozart anniversary year.

What a superb duo of two great artists. Orkis couls have easily been dominated by Mutter's great power & authority but both artists combine in an ideal "give & take". These are cerebral performances but there is plenty of visceral excitement. The nuances of phrasing & dynamics deliver new insights into the music. This is a set that all Mozart lovers should have in the front of their collection.

I can actually say very little about this album, except that it is excellent! Anne-Sophie Mutter is famous for her Mozart, and this recording is a must for anyone who loves his music. All the violin sonate are at least interesting, and they run the gamut from entertaining to profound. Some of the later ones seem, to me, to foreshadow Beethoven. No music lover should hesitate to buy this album!

I have to agree with the other people here that the music is incredible. I can listen Mozart for hours and still need more. This compilation is magnificent and I highly recommend it to every fan of this great composer.

I am fairly familiar with Mozart's symphonies, operas and string quartets, but these recordings were something new: the interplay of the two musicians on these complex, but accessible compositions welcomes repeated listenings. After a month, my favorite is the K.378, but there is much, so much here.

Anne-Sophie Mutter's cd is one of the best I have experenced in a long time. It was well worth the money. I highly reccomend this CD to classical listeners around the world.

She is one of my favorite violinists of this time...sorry martinus scribelus..., music is art and its always unique.. , and this is a good exmple, so this CD is art..and a artist like Mutter, that gives everything on stage and this time she does it for Mozart. A great recording, as all Mutter's recordings, with passion, perfection, technique and color that she allways shows, we should also mention the superb Lambert Orkis at the piano. Thanks Anne-Sophie for another great CD!!!