Customer Reviews

Mozart: Violin concertos Nos. 1-5; Sinfonia concertante, K. 364; Concertone, K. 190

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

 

 

Volume 3 of violinist Isaac Stern's "A Life in Music" series is (appropriately) a three-disc set featuring Mozart's five Violin Concertos, and other orchestral works for the instrument. This collection was originally issued in Sony's "Mozart - Legendary Interpretations" series and fortunately it has been reissued here. (Note to Sony - follow suit and reissue the rest of Szell's Symphonies and Ormandy's Wind Concertos!) As indicated above, three different men -- George Szell, Alexander Schneider and Daniel Barenboim -- conduct the works on this disc. The Szell performances date from the early 1960s -- Concertos Nos. 1 & 3 are from January 1961 while No. 5 is from April 1963. The Barenboim recordings are from 1971 (Sinfonia Concertante K364) and 1973 (Concertone K190). Finally, the Schneider accounts -- Concertos Nos. 2 & 4, Adagio K261 and Rondo K373 -- are all from February 1976. All are in stereo. It is my opinion that these performances, particularly those with Szell, are the best available, and the only other set comparable is the Grumiaux/Davis on Philips (see my review). Of course, if you don't want to buy 3 CDs worth of Mozart Violin works, you can always buy the Sony "Great Performances" title featuring the very same recordings of Concertos Nos. 4 & 5.

Isaac Stern, sad to say, continued his playing career far beyond his ability to play well. A whole generation knows him as a violinist who was occasionally good, while very slippy in matters like intonation and playing all the right notes. What they've missed is the fact that, in his prime, Stern was one of the greatest violinists of all. These Mozart reissues show this in spades. A truly beautiful sound, with both intensity and warmth, and true command. George Szell, who conducts most of these performances, was ahead of his time in playing Mozart with cleanliness and zest. It's a great mix. Highly recommended.

Best versions of the Violin Concertos!

Best Concertante and Concertone!

- An amazingly inspirational set! Highest possible recommendation!