Customer Reviews

Pamela Frank Plays Mozart: Violin Concertos Nos. 1-5/Haffner Serenade

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

 

 

I agree with Amazon.com's reviewer that Ms. Frank isn't as warm an interpreter of Mozart as Monsieur Grumiaux was, but she, Maestro Zinman and the Tonhalle Orchestra make a compelling case why this should be regarded as among the finest cycles of Mozart violin concerti. Indeed, Grammophone's Classical CD guide does regard it as definitive. I was greatly impressed with Ms. Frank's lyrical playing and great technical skill. I was also amazed that she played cadenzas that were largely composed by Zinman, not by Joachim or some other noted violinist of the past. Once more, David Zinman conducts the Tonhalle Orchestra as though it was a chamber orchestra, not the symphony orchestra that it is. He conducts Mozart with clarity, without being overwhelmed by warmth, opting for brisk tempi. Arte Nova's sound engineers have to be commended for producing again a first-rate well-balanced recording that is as good as their spectacular Zinman/Tonhalle Orchestra Beethoven symphony cycle.

Pamela Frank is inspiring. Her playing is light on its feet and quick-witted, with nothing Mozart didn't write and everything he did. After listening to Ms. Frank on these CDs, one cannot imagine Mozart being played any other way - it just seems so "right".

If you want two recordings, go for this one and Grumiaux (already mentioned by other reviewers). If you only want one, however, this is the one.

I own several other recordings of these concertos. Maybe it's the "sparkling clarity" mentioned by Leslie Gerber, maybe its the DDD sound, or maybe it's Pamela Frank's charming style, but these sound uniquely special to me. At this price, these CDs deserve 5 stars.

There are times when all of the elements for cohesive performances/recordings arise, and this 2000 recording of the five Violin Concerti of Mozart with Pamela Frank, David Zinman (both conducting and writing the cadenzas!), the Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra, AND the recording engineers is about as perfect as any of the innumerable recordings currently available.

Pamela Frank does not play for gusto but for suave delicacy and sincere insight and her tone is a pure and unforced as any violinist on the stages today. Her approach to these well known concerti is refined, developing the necessary innate approach to the progressively more advanced composing subtleties Mozart demonstrated from the first to the fifth, and her communication with Zinman and the orchestra is secure. The often performed Concerto No. 3 in G major, K. 216 is perhaps the best example: the opening movement opens with the bristling orchestral setting for the entrance of the violin and Frank dances with the luster and brisk sparkle as well as any other violinist.

In addition to the finely honed performances of the five concerti, Zinman elects to close the concert with the Serenade No. 7 for orchestra in D major ("Haffner"). It is a treasure. Zinman has developed a specific sound with the Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra that is unique and has been recorded with expertise by the Arte Nova engineers. This is a fine CD even for those with multiple other recordings of the concerti by other fine violinists. Mozart/Frank/Zinman and the Tonhalle ensemble sing! Grady Harp, July 07

This CD is totally awesome. If you like Mozart you will love this CD; Wolfgang would.

The sound on these discs is great. The images of the soloists and orchestra are sharply captured. The playing of the soloist and the orchestra had no obvious defect as well. However the overall product of the effort is not my favorite. Mutter/Karajan might be preferrable although the orchestra there is somewhat heavy. edit: see my review of Lin and Leppard (Concertos 1 & 4 on Sony).