Piano Concerti 1-27

Mozart (Artist), Anda (Artist), Barenboim (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 13, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 10
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B000001GBP
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #480,682 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

When he made these recordings, Géza Anda had acquired a reputation as a Bartók specialist, a composer whose piano style couldn't be further from Mozart's. The results, however, have withstood the test of time. Anda was determined to redeem Mozart from the sweet, tinkle-tinkle style of classical music performances that characterized many performances of this music, and he imbues each concerto with uncommon strength. He's not afraid to use the full resources of his piano, and though some feel he occasionally overpowers the music, he restores the a sense of virtuosity and daring to Mozart's piano writing that most listeners will find very welcome. At a budget price, this set is a real bargain. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reparation for Géza Anda, December 8, 1999

By 

Pr Dr W. Rathert "Eusebius" (Berlin (Deutschland)) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Piano Concerti 1-27 (Audio CD)

I am glad to read the enthusiastic Amazon.com reviews on Anda's Mozart cycle, because during the 80s and 90s his kind of playing and interpreting Mozart was not very much appreciated by some prominent (mostly German) critics who thought of it to be 'cold'. But since Anda's great EMI recordings of the 1950s have been reissued on CD we have become aware that he is one of the very few pianists in the 20th century who were able to reconcile virtuosity with musicality and taste. His interpretation of the mozart concertos will remain as a milestone in the history of piano playing.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Music of the Heavens, March 11, 2001

By 

jerry Sullivan (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Piano Concerti 1-27 (Audio CD)

Possibly the finest complete cycle of Mozart Piano Concertos ever made permanent, the Geza Anda cycle still maintains a hold on me. With recording dates spanning the years 1961-1969, there is a sameness to the recorded sound which suggests having been recorded within days of each other. Credit recording engineer Gunther Hermanns for not allowing equipment to stand in the way of art. In comparision to the original vinyl versions, this bargain basement edition looses little in terms of sonics; Amazing! I must admit I hesitated in buying this, thinking oh, at the price, I'll bet they messed with the sound. Well, thankfully I'm proven wrong I remember at the time of the release of the film Elvira Madigan some critic wondering why such a (then) old reading of the 21st piano concerto was included in the film. Well, the Anda reading so perfectly matched the visual beauty of the film that there could have been no other. It still holds true today. Anda, conducting from the piano, (as Mozart himself did) was a fully matured artist by this time; Having mastered Bartok, he set upon a redefinition of the canon of Mozart. It has certainly weather time well; Indulge yourself, you will never regret this buying decision.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still One Of The Finest Mozart Piano Concerto Cycles, May 4, 2001

By 

John Kwok (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Piano Concerti 1-27 (Audio CD)

Anda's Mozart piano concerto cycle was the first to be recorded almost in its entirety by one soloist and orchestra. It was also the first to have the orchestra under the soloist's direction. Recorded over the span of several years, these performances still sound quite vividly clear and crisp. The sound quality on these recordings is absolutely first rate. Credit is due to Deutsche Grammophon's recording engineers; these are some of the label's best recordings from the 1960's. As a soloist, Anda gives introspective readings of Mozart's scores which lack the exuberance of Daniel Barenboim's performances with the English Chamber Orchestra, but are as polished as Alfred Brendel's with the Academy of Saint Martin in the Fields under Sir Neville Marriner's direction. Most noteworthy are his performances of the 14th, 17th, 20th, 21st, 24th, 26th and 27th concerti, but the others sound fine too. Those looking for a relatively inexpensive set of Mozart piano concerti won't be disappointed with Anda's cycle.