What are you listening two?

[Seán]

Just been listening to and enjoying this lovely thing.
Wonderful warm tone and fantastic playing.

WOW!

[fergus]

Any recommendations of HIP Mozart performances which I can chase up, especially instrumental works?
I have a number of the Mozart Symphonies recorded by Hogwood & the AAM but to me they sound a bit lifeless and lacking in dynamic.

Mark.

My recommendation would be to start with the Clarinet Concerto Mark. This one would normally be a strong recommendation from me....





....but you seem to have precluded the AAM already. See if you can stream it, give it a listen and see what you think.

I wouls also suggest this one, which I really like....





....not HIP but Tate is a great Mozartian IMHO and Thea King is a wonderful instrumentalist who plays a basset clarinet which is a lovely sounding instrument.

For HIP there is always Harnoncourt....

[Seán]

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Symphony No. 41
London Mozart Players
Jane Glover conducting.

This a hugely enjoyable performance of the 41st. The London Mozart Players are a very impressive outfit indeed.

[mcq]

Just been listening to and enjoying this lovely thing.
Wonderful warm tone and fantastic playing.


Any recommendations of HIP Mozart performances which I can chase up, especially instrumental works?
I have a number of the Mozart Symphonies recorded by Hogwood & the AAM but to me they sound a bit lifeless and lacking in dynamic.

Mark.

That's a fantastic CD, Mark.  Some of the very best performances of these wonderful pieces.

I would also recommend this excellent set of Mozart works in period performances.  Jos van Immerseel's fine ensemble, Anima Eterna, are consistently reliable whatever the repertoire and this set collects together a selection of symphonies, concertos and violin sonatas.




And this CD of two of the piano concertos is an absolute joy.



Andreas Staier is one of the modern greats on fortepiano and harpsichord.  Here is a reissue of two CDs he recorded of a selection of Mozart's keyboard works.



The best version of the clarinet concerto that I've heard on period instruments is this one by Erich Hoeprich.




For the Requiem, I keep coming back to Harnoncourt and Herreweghe.






And for the final three symphonies, I have to recommend either Harnoncourt or Brüggen.

[Seán]

Lovely informative post Paul, thank you.

[Seán]

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Symphony No. 41
Overture La clemenza di Tito
Orchestra of the 18th Century
Franz Bruggen conducting.
As I have come to expect this is marvellous music-making by the late great Franz Bruggen and his orchestra. Incidentally, the overture is delightful

[markof]

Many, many thanks gentlemen for the Mozart recommendations.
I've my work cut out for the next while.

Have started with the Clarinet Concertos as recommended by Fergus and found this alternative to the AAM recording:



This recording is up there with the wind concertos when it comes to quality.

Mark

[fergus]

This recording is up there with the wind concertos when it comes to quality.

Mark

Nice find Mark!

[Seán]

Gioacchini Rossini
L'italiana in Algeri
Agnes Baltsa (Mezzo Soprano), Ruggero Raimondi (Bass Baritone), Enzo Dara (Baritone),
Alessandro Corbelli (Baritone), Anna Gonda (Mezzo Soprano), Patrizia Pace (Soprano), Frank Lopardo (Tenor)
Vienna State Opera Chorus
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Claudio Abbado conductor

This is an extraordinary beautiful and witty opera. It is tuneful, easy on the ear and is pure joy from start to finish. Strongly recommended.

[Jose Echenique]

The latest Zefiro recording, heaven!