On the strength of the recommendations coming out of this thread, I just purchased the Makerras/Scottish Chamber Orchestra set and am extremely glad I did (thanks!). I have several favorite versions of Mozart 39 and 40, and not to knock the excellent performances by Walter, Menuhin, Pinnock, Bernstein and Bohm, I have a feeling this will be my go-to set for late Mozart symphonies for some time. As a bonus, listening to the Makerras (twice) set me on a Mozart binge yesterday and along the way rediscovered Frans Bruggen and the Orchestra of the 18th Century's fine recording of the 40th (coupled with Beethoven's 1st on Philips). I'd forgotten how much I admire this version. |
Learsfool: While you are at it, take a listen to Abbado and Giulianno Carmignola on Archive for Mozart's violin concertos and sinfonia concertanta. Just released in 08 and very nice - also got a nice writeup in Gramaphone, I believe it was. |
Just heard that Claudio Abbado has recorded some of the Mozart symphonies that just came out. It is supposed to be very good, and he is certainly one of the finest conductors working today. Can't wait to check those out. |
Thank you all! I truly appreciatre it. So many options...it was difficult to make A decission. Eventually decided to go with the Mackerras' by Linn, and I'm definitely taking note of the other recommendations and keeping in mind interpretations vary a lot.
Your guidance has been so encouraging you are likely to see further questions from me about diving further into classical.
Thanks again! |
All of the above are great. However, lately I have listened a lot to Rene Jacobs 38/41 on Harmonia Mundi. |
I have the Bohm, Mackeras,and Gardner and those are all very nice. Another very fine choice is Pinnock's on Archive - I have the box set but the individual symphonies may also be available. The interpretations from all of these conductors are very different from each other. Classical music listening is an incredibly endless and rewarding pastime - it can be an acquired taste for some - but well worth the time. |
I suggest you consider the Karl Bohm 2 CD set of 6 Mozart symphonies on DG Originals; the 2 CDs are sold at a reduced price. The performances are among the best (if not period instruments) and you get 6 of the best known Mozart symphonies -- excellent for one getting to know classical music. Sound is decent, if not demonstration quality. I have multiple recordings of these symphonies, but these are the ones I listen to the most. |
Another variation is the Hogwood/Academy of Ancient Music "The Symphonies Vol.VI Paris & Vienna" on Decca (L'Oiseau-Lyre 421 085-2). It's an old recording from 20 years ago. What's striking about this is a smaller classical orchestra with period instruments giving the symphonies a slightly smaller sound - almost like a chamber orchestra - that the jacket says is what Mozart had intended. Good recording quality for the time and, I think, a very good interpretation with top notch musicians. |
http://stereophile.com/musicintheround/508mitr/index1.html |
The earlier Mackerras on Telarc is a good example (to my ear) of a Telarc recording that was less satisfactory. The string sound is (to me) a bit edgy, which is annoying given that the strings are the name of the game. However, Mackerras is a good Mozart conductor, and I just ordered the Linn set myself last week. It should be excellent. And Symphony 40 is a "must-have"--one of the great works in the "canon."
A very nice budget set by is by Saraste on Virgin, which has several other Mozart Symphonies (though not 40). Lesser known conductor, but I liked this set.
George Szell and Bruno Walter were (for me) two of the great Mozart conductors, but their Mozart symphonies seem to be kind of hard to find now. The Walter set of late Mozart symphonies is available from Arkiv Music, but the Szell is only available is a big boxed set. And the recordings are a little bright (though tame-able, if you have tone controls).
If you like the symphonies, the next stop should be the late piano concertos. Many fine recordings... |
Kal...I have several recordings of these old war horses, but your strong endorsement of the Mackerras interests me. I also listened to the brief clips on the web site.
Please elaborate regarding your suggestion. |
Performance wise, I don't think you would be disappointed with Josef Krip's. But it the recording might sound a bit outdated. |
If you like original instruments, or even if you don't, check out John Eliot Gardiner's English Baroque Soloists. Very good interpretations. |
I agree with Kal, the Linn set is a very good one, plus you get No.40, my favorite of his late symphonies. I believe Mackerras did some earlier recordings of these symphonies with Telarc as well, not sure if they're still in print. |
This one with Mackerras:
http://www.linnrecords.com/recording-mozart-symphonies.aspx
Kal |
