2. music
  3. 1447201526

What is your favorite Mozart symphony?

Most people would agree that the last three symphonies of Mozart (no. 39 -41) would be his greatest symphonic compositions. But it is so interesting to realize the perspectives on this subject from conductors. In one interview, Karl Bohm stated that Symphony No. 9 in C major has the originality of some later great works. Another case is Eugen Jochum who performed Symphony No. 33 in B falt major (121 times) more than Symphony No.40 (60 times) or Symphony No. 41 (87 times) in his career.

It would be equally or more interesting to collect your opinions. What would be your favorite Mozart symphony? What would be your most admired performance/recording of that composition?

Happy Listening!

Otto
yu11375

Showing 9 responses by lowrider57

lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,397 posts
 
I feel Nos. 40 and 41 are Mozart's masterpieces, but two of my favorites are:

The "lighthearted" Symphony No.24 in B flat major and
Karajan's Symphony No. 35 in D major, "Haffner."
I usually prefer Mozart performed by a small orchestra, but I like Karajan's touch on this one.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,397 posts
 
Learsfool,
Yes #25 is excellent, I should have included that with my #24 choice.

OTOH, I could listen to Haydn all day long and sometimes do, but his body of work is so vast, is it better to have it's own thread? I could list at least 10 favorites right now.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,397 posts
 
Prcinka or anybody else in the know...

Is the Karl Bohm "Collector's Edition" a newer remastered version of Bohm's Mozart or is it the same as the DG single CD releases from the 1990s?
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,397 posts
 
Many thanks, Yu11375. I've been listening on YouTube and Bohm really has a way with Mozart that I like very much.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,397 posts
 
Schubert,
I have about 10 of the Mackerras/Prague/Telarc CDs and the performances are very good, and the sonics are outstanding. When Telarc gets it right, it's like you are in the middle of the concert hall.

Which version were you recommending?
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,397 posts
 
@ 77jovian,
These are the Charles Mackerras/Prague/Telarc CDs in Box Set or individual CDs.
Small orchestra, modern instruments, DDD. Mackerras has a great feel for Mozart, I've collected many of the Cds.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,397 posts
 
To Yu11375...

Thanks for all the info. I found some Berliner CD recordings on YouTube, btw.

So it looks like there was no additional remastering done to make the box set, they used the digital masters from the 80s and 90s. I expect that there will be some brash highs typical of that DG period, but most importantly do the strings sound smooth?

Thanks for your help!
(I have Bohm's 1972 Vienna/Beethoven cycle on CD, no remastering, and it sounds fantastic).
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,397 posts
 
77jovian...

Forgot something: Box Set and individual CDs.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_2_17?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=charles+mackerras+mozart+symphonies&sprefix=Charles+Mackerras%2Cpopular%2C220
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,397 posts
 
I'm glad you mentioned that piece, Tubegroover. May I describe it as "heavenly?"
It just might be my favorite Mozart composition of all.
More to discover