I'll add some criticism to the plaudits above:
Haskil - Not lively. Understated to the point of moribund.
Rudolf Serkin (on DG) - Please. Unattractive pianism mars superb accompaniment by Abbado (an underrated Mozart conductor, IMHO).
Brendel - He's always OK but his early set done in the 1960s with Viennese pick-up orchestras has a brio and sparkle that is missing from the later recordings.
For me, the Perahia and (older sound) Casadesus recordings are always the standard. |
I second Clifford Curzon, he indeed will give you "shivers up the spine". I also second Brendal and Alicia de Larocca. There are many fine performances of Mozart's concertos but none have moved me as Curzon's do, well worth checking out. |
I attended a concert where Uchida played a Mozart piano concerto (don't remember which one) with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. Fabulous! |
I only remember of a soundtrack on a film: Funeral in Berlin (1966) - No. 23. |
A third vote for the Askenazy complete set. Lucid performances in very good sound. |
M Uchida is the current choice for sonatas & solo pieces. |
I second the Decca Ashkenazy box. Excellent. I don't know if a complete cycle exists by Rudolf Serkin, but I think he is my favorite when it comes to the Mozart Concertos. Mitsuko Uchida is also excellent with Mozart. |
Thanks everyone for your excellent suggestions. I look forward to checking them out. Peter |
Hi Gawdbless. . . Brilliant Classics is a fascinating little label. . . similar in concept to Naxos perhaps. . . their artists are not usually well known. . .. sometimes their performances are only so so, other time they are stunning.
When they do not have a new performance in their kit, they fall back to licensing classic performances from the past. I have the Bach set on 156 CDs and like it a lot. It is my understanding that the Mozart may be even better, and the complete Beethoven set even more so.
If nothing else, these are fantastic documentaries of an author's output. . . may be they are meant more for the music lover than the 'audiophile' in search of sonic spectaculars. . . but when I listen to some of the organ works by J.S. Bach. . . I remain extremely impressed. GUido |
Ciao Guido, that 170cd Mozart set can also be purchased for $115 new (inclusive of s/h), on ebay (US seller also)
Do you have the set? if so, what is the 'Brilliant' label
like quality wise? |
If you want to get the widest possible exposure to Mozart in a fell swoop, try the 170 CD set of The Mozart Complete Works on the Brilliant Classics label (92540). . . for $154.99 at ArcOfMusic. Guido |
Another vote for Perahia and Brendel. But also try Clifford Curzon -- he can send shivers up the spine. I especially enjoy his recordings on Audite where he's accompanied by Kubelik. It sounds like I need to check out Haskil. |
Uchida's set is also outstanding. She plays Mozart, both concertos and sonatas, extremely well. You can't go wrong with any of the suggestions here, but if you're taking your time and auditioning before you buy, be sure to listen to hers. Have fun. |
Concur with Perahia, Clara Haskil, and Brendel, would add for at least #27 Emil Gilels. His tone and romanticism are such that, at least for me, no other pianist has matched. |
I heartily second the Brendel recommendation, especially the Dutch pressings. Another great Mozartean was Alicia de Larrocha, who unfortunately passed away a few days ago. I will be having a memorial listening session very soon! She was a great lady as well, I was fortunate enough to work with her a couple of different times. |
If you ever reach the point when you truly cherish the Mozart Piano Concertos, you might want to listen to those renditions I would consider the most magical---by the wonderful Clara Haskil. |
You might consider Geza Anda on the DG labeled. This boxed set has been remastered and the sound is pretty darn good. Some really captivating performances. Another would be Mitsiko Uchida and the English Chamber Orchestra on Phillips, though I really like her playing of Mozart piano works better than the concertos. |
I haven't heard the sets mentioned by others, but I have greatly enjoyed the mid-price set from Phillips Duo, with Alfred Brendel, Neville Mariner and the Academy of St. Martins in the Fields. (4 discs, two volumes) |
I have Murray Perahia on Sony and is (IMHO) an excellent set of Mozart Piano Concertos.Check Amazon and listen to the samples.
The Ashkenazy set on the wonderful Decca label is available new on Ebay for $29, a total steal in IMHO for 10 cd's with playing also of the highest order (I will be buying that set also). |
I have two DVD's one is Rudolf Buchbinder Piano concertos No. 14,20,& 25 and the is Violin Sonatas Gil and Orli Shaham Both DVD's in surround the music fills the room and you feel you right there |
An extremely fine boxed set, in both performance and sound, has pianist Vladimir Ashkenazy playing and conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra on the London/Decca label. |
Glenn Gould's recording of the Piano Concerto # 24 in c minor is astounding. |
