Amadeus: The Complete Original Soundtrack Recording [BOX SET] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REISSUED] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED] [SOUNDTRACK]

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Composer), Tom Hulce (Performer), Elizabeth Berridge (Performer), Roy Dotrice (Performer), Simon Callow (Performer), Christine Ebersole (Performer), Jeffrey Jones (Performer), Charles Kay (Performer), Kenneth McMillan (Performer), Kenny Baker (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Tom Hulce, Elizabeth Berridge, Roy Dotrice, Simon Callow, Christine Ebersole, et al.
• Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
• Audio CD (July 1, 1991)
• SPARS Code: AAD
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Box set, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered, Soundtrack
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Fantasy
• ASIN: B000000XBV
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #24,392 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Director Milos Forman's rewarding 1984 film adaptation of playwright Peter Shaffer's Tony-winning play won no fewer than 10 Academy Awards (including Best Film, Best Actor, and Best Director); only Wolfgang himself (and his filmic counterpart, Tom Hulce) seemed to get overlooked by the Academy. This expanded three-disc set contains all of Sir Neville Marriner's crisp, accurate readings of the excerpted Mozart symphonies, concertos, serenades, and operas (including marvelous portions of The Abduction of Seraglio, Don Giovanni, and The Magic Flute) used in the film. The success of Amadeus spurred a long-overdue renaissance of interest in classical music, and one would be hard-pressed to find a richer, more concise introduction to the intoxicating music and frustrating bundle of moral contradictions that was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

106 of 107 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This review is for the Bicentennial Edition 3 CD Boxed Set., January 30, 2000

By	Tyson Torres (Texas USA) - See all my reviews

This three disc set is an excellent starting point, not only for the beginning listener of Mozart, but to the beginning listener of classical music in general.

That said, the selections are quite in tune with the film itself, which quite uniquely makes this soundtrack valuable both to people who loved the film as well as those who have never seen it. Perhaps 90% of the tracks are the compositions of Mozart, including the Commendatore scene of "Don Giovanni" and the Queen of the Night aria from "The Magic Flute." The remaining tracks consist of music heard during various scenes in the film, including the finale from Salieri's opera "Axur." Enough new material is here to warrant buying this set over one of the other less expensive editions of the "Amadeus" soundtrack.

In short, the music contained herein is a virtual greatest hits album of Mozart, virtual only in that it's scope must be limited to only 3 discs. On an incidental note, even the conductor and symphony orchestra performing the selections are recognized as being among the foremost interpreters of Mozart's music; yet another reason to purchase the Bicentennial Edition. It also includes a wonderful album-sized booklet detailing much of the behind the scenes work involved, as well as portions of the story. All very nicely done, especially for an average price of approximately $12 per disc. I have hundreds of Mozart's CDs in my collection, but I most often return to this, the most concise package of his music. Whether you enjoyed the film and its music, or you simply wish to widen out your musical horizons to include Mozart's music, this is the set to buy.

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Complete?, April 30, 2002

By	gellio "gellio" (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

Okay, I want to start off by saying that even this set is not "complete." Several pieces, that were in the film are missing. Papageno's aria from 'Flute', Martern aller Arten from 'Seraglio' and the opening to 'Figaro', to name a few. However, this really is a great recording and a wonderful introduction to Mozart.

Marriner is a wonderful conductor, but there are moments on this disc that are simply inadequate - namely The Queen of the Night's aria from 'Flute.' I have heard many many better readings than this. Christina Deutekom under the direction of Solti, with the Vienna Philharmonic is simply incredible as the Queen. This recording (complete) is hard to find, but amazon has a highlights version. It's the best 'Flute' out there.

The Commendatore Scene from 'Don Giovanni' is well done, but pales in comparison to what Eberhard Wachter did under the direction of Guilini - this recording has been called the greatest opera recording ever. One critic said there's a better chance we will see pigs fly than there is that a 'Don Giovanni' will be made that can rival Guilin's.

The scenes from 'The Marriage of Figaro' also pale in comparision to what Guilini, Solti, Bohm, and Muti for that matter have done.

So, I guess it's the opera scenes that I find most laking in this set, but as a whole it's truly a wonderful intro to Mozart's music.

If you want to explore his operas further, I recommend.

Marriage of Figaro - Guilini's all star set is highly regarded, but being that it's on 2 discs - two arias have been omitted. Solti's reading is excellent as well and complete. Bohm's complete recording is a true gem. Lastly, Muti's reading (while not with the best cast) features the Vienna Philharmonic, who truly blows any other orchestra in the world away and this set is worth it alone to hear this orchestra play this score.

Don Giovanni - The Guilini set with Sutherland, Schwartzkopf, Taddei, and Wachter. It is simply incomparable.

Magic Flute - Solti's 1970's reading with Prey, Duetekom, and the Vienna Philharmonic is unmatched in singing and energy. Again - the Vienna Philharmonic outshines any other orchestra I've heard play this score. Highlights is available on Amazon. Be cautious, Solti did another 'Flute' with the Vienna Philharmonic, with Sumi Jo at the helm. It's ok. Bohm's is also stupendous and a bargin at a cheap price.

Cosi fan tutte - totally overlooked in Amadeus, this is the third and final collaboration between Mozart and DaPonte (Figaro and Don G. being the first two). Cosi contains some of Mozart's most sublime music and features some of his best ensemble work. Ludwig, Schwartzkopf, Taddei, Kraus, and Berry under the direction of Bohm is your absolute best bet.

"Bach sits at the left hand of God. Beethoven sits at the right hand of God. Mozart sits in God's lap!"

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Top-Chart Album of the 80's That Made Classical Music Sell !!, July 30, 2005

By	Rudy Avila "Saint Seiya" (Lennox, Ca United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

In 1984, Milos Forman's film Amadeus, based on the hit Broadway play by Peter Schaffer, made it to the big screen with resounding success nationwide. When the soundtrack was released, it was a top seller and even found itself selling as much as such popular 80's artists as Madonna. The music from this well-made film, mostly Mozart but used some Classical-Era works by Salieri, Pergolesi and Salieri- hooked young people into classical music when they might have otherwise never given it a chance.

In the film, Mozart's music is used for dramatic effect and for ambiance. Vienna in the 1780's was the home of a blooming musical scene that would later see the likes of Beethoven. This musical kingdom is well captured in the soundtrack, which features tantalizing excerpts from Mozart's most illustrious works. The film opens to the frenzied, dark strains of the 1st movement of the 25th Symphony, as a crazed Salieri is taken from his home to a mental asylum after an attempted suicide. It goes on to use the religious music of Pergolesi Ave Verum and Amen - boys chorus as Salieri contemplates a life of chastity and dedication to music if God grants him talent. Then we leave Salieri's world of spirituality and desire for fame when we are introduced to the young Mozart. The Serenade for Winds "Gran Partita" is heard - an oboe, clarinets, "like a rusty squeezebox" and fills the air with sublime serenity. This coming from a composer who began his career at the age of 4 who was already trained in piano and violin, and who in his teens composed symphonies and operas. Salieri's works are no longer heard as Mozart's brilliant music takes over the score. We hear breathaking slices of his famous operas in chronologically composed order- the German opera Abduction From The Seraglio which was composed for the soprano Katerina Cavalieri (who has a fling wit Mozart and whom Salieri desired for himself), Figaro's Wedding and Finale from Le Nozze Di Figaro and the dramatic Commandatore Dinner Scene from Don Giovanni, and lastly the Queen of the Night Aria and Papageno's Aria from his enchanting and spiritual work The Magic Flute. Further to these famous works, which also include the Piano Concerto in D No. 20- which prefigured Romantic piano concertos of Beethoven flair, and the Eine Kleine Nachtmusiz which is Mozart's most famous tune and signature theme, we are treated to rare works in Mozart's ouevre. This includes the Masonic Funeral March, a funeral piece Mozart wrote for his fellow Masons. Divertimenti is heard in a latter scene in which Mozart's wife Constanza escapes her woes with Mozart and indulges in a spa. Chamber works, the heartwarming Flute concerto and even the rare Salieri opera Axur (then considered the greatest opera ever made, according to Emperor Joseph) all make up for a great recording album. This album now exists in extended form for the Bicentennial. The movie is a perfect companion to this album.