COMPOSERS: Mozart
LABELS: DG Masters
WORKS: Violin Concerto No. 1; Violin Concerto No. 2; Violin Concerto No. 3; Violin Concerto No. 4; Violin Concerto No. 5; Adagio in E, K261; Rondo in C, K373; Rondo in B flat, K269
PERFORMER: Itzhak Perlman (violin)Vienna PO/James Levine
CATALOGUE NO: 445 535-2 DDD (1983/86)
DG’s Mozart concerto cycle with Perlman, Levine and the Vienna Philharmonic, was recorded in the inspirational acoustic setting of Vienna’s Musikvereinsaal, between 1982 and 1985. The performances were unanimously and deservedly praised when first released, and now represent outstanding value as a double CD set at mid- price. Perlman clearly loves every note of this music; these readings are refined, zestful and elegant, though less aristocratic in bearing than Arthur Grumiaux’s radiantly beautiful Philips set, now available in remastered digital sound. Perlman plays his own stylish cadenzas (except in K216 and K219, where Franko and Joachim are virtually mandatory), and his collaboration with the Vienna Philharmonic under Levine would be difficult to surpass. Michael Jameson
Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 1; Violin Concerto No. 2; Violin Concerto No. 3; Violin Concerto No. 4; Violin Concerto No. 5; Adagio in E, K261; Rondo in C, K373; Rondo in B flat, K269
DG’s Mozart concerto cycle with Perlman, Levine and the Vienna Philharmonic, was recorded in the inspirational acoustic setting of Vienna’s Musikvereinsaal, between 1982 and 1985. The performances were unanimously and deservedly praised when first released, and now represent outstanding value as a double CD set at mid- price. Perlman clearly loves every note of this music; these readings are refined, zestful and elegant, though less aristocratic in bearing than Arthur Grumiaux’s radiantly beautiful Philips set, now available in remastered digital sound.
Our rating
5
Published: January 20, 2012 at 3:15 pm