Mozart - Flute Concerto No. 1 · Concerto for Flute and Harp · Clarinet Concerto / Pahud · Langlamet · S. Meyer · Berlin Phil. · Abbado

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Artist), Claudio Abbado (Artist), Emmanuel Pahud (Artist), Sabine Meyer (Artist), Berliner Philharmoniker (Artist), Marie-Pierre Langlamet (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 5, 2001)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B00005AFRE
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #140,418 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Emmanuel Pahud, who here delivers his version of Mozart's first flute concerto plus the composer's earlier work for flute and harp, is, in many ways, James Galway's anointed successor. This young Swiss virtuoso followed Galway in the job of principal flute with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra at the tender age of 22 after receiving encouragement from him, and as the older flautist has diversified into nonclassical territories, Pahud has taken his place as prime purveyor of the flute classics. He brings to Mozart's first concerto a tone of astonishing warmth and fullness--those who think the flute colorless should listen in here--and to its gorgeous slow movement an irresistible grace. With harpist Marie Langlamet, the double concerto springs vibrantly to life; the melodic patterns they weave around each other in the slow movement are all the more beautiful for being taken at a notably gentle pace. This version more than holds its own against the classic recording by Galway and Marisa Robles. Meanwhile, clarinetist Sabine Meyer deals effectively with the concerto on which all clarinetists must sooner or later leave their mark. Claudio Abbado and the incomparable Berlin Philharmonic underpin everything with their trademark warmth and clarity. --Michael Church

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I've never heard better..., December 21, 2003

By	musicmaker "musicmaker" (Baltimore, MD USA) - See all my reviews

As a professional flutist I've long been an admirer of Pahud's playing. Still, when this CD was released, I sighed at the thought of yet another Mozart Concerto recording. I was wrong - this is far from being just another Mozart recording. It is excellent in every conceivable way, from Pahud's wonderful and intelligent music-making, his perfectly beautiful flute playing, to the Berlin Phil's expressive and appropriate accompaniment. Pahud never ceases to amaze me with how expressive he is able to be (no small challenge on the flute), while always remaining in perfect taste. Even if you have no particular interest in the flute, this is a moving and marvelous CD to own.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blissful, serene music making, August 31, 2005

By	Allan Sherwood (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews

I don't consider myself to be a big fan of flute playing, however Emmanuel Pahud's mastery of the instrument has bowled me over, his playing here is nothing less than brilliant. Langlamet and Meyer's playing is in the same realm. Both the flute concerto and the concerto for flute and harp are serene and ethereal in these performances yet they never degenerate into new-age wallpaper. The clarinet concerto conveys a more grounded atmosphere than the other two works, this performance makes an all too familiar work sound fresh. The Berlin Philharmonic, under Claudio Abbado, interacts beautifully with the soloists and the recorded sound is clear without being harsh or too closely miked (a problem with many other recordings of these and similar works). I highly recommend this recording to anyone who is either familiar with this repetoire or is just discovering it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply sublime, January 15, 2005

By	tiggrie - See all my reviews

Absolutely beautiful playing on the flute, clarinet and harp, and fantastic accompanying by the Berliner Philharmoniker.

Pahud's playing is sweet, stylish, and just simply full of life and beauty. I am bowled over, and it's easy to see why he is considered a master of Mozart.

Meyer's clarinet playing, although I am no judge of the clarinet, also seems very very good and senstive to the music, and to my ear is very beautiful. Certainly the best or one of the best recordings I have heard of that piece.

Buy it! It's hard to see how anyone could be disappointed.

I look forward to hearing more. Buy it!