Collections of Mozart symphonies

[Mal]

I couldn't find my way to page 616 sadly (is there a shortcut? If so I'll take a look)

Open the book in "Look Inside". Type "Harnoncourt monster" into the "Look inside" search box; that should get you straight to the most pungent criticism :) The reviews are of early Teldec/CMW.

but the problem is that Harnoncourt recordings of Mozart span four decades, from the RCOA, CMW, COE and then those wonderful late CMW/Sony issues of the No.35 c/w the k320 Serenade (a warm and lovable reading, believe it or not), and an utterly remarkable release of 39-41 (the reading conceived as a continuous trilogy, though of course you don't have to listen to it that way) just a few years ago. So it is very hard to generalise about such a creatively renewing artist.

Good point, I just got a free 90 days with Amazon Unlimited and I'm now listening to his Harnoncourt/CMW/Sony 35 and I rather like it, the first movements *is* on fire, the slow movement is quite lovely and certainly not a battle cry, and he is insightful throughout, makes you sit up and listen. Maybe a bit Timpani & brass heavy in the final movement? But even there he segues into a beautiful melody. Marriner's Philips/analog Haffner, although beautiful in parts, does tend to drag; can't say that about Harnoncourt!

None of those later recordings would strike me as "harsh" or "attention-seeking" - challenging and freshly insightful? Absolutely - as a very original and deeply reflective artist he wants to [I]make us listen.

I do like some of his Haydn with CMW/Teldec, he's my favourite for 45 & 60, where he makes most others look rather bland. The "third ear" reviewer for Haydn seems to dislike Harnoncourt/CMW/Teldec less than the Mozart reviewer, but still suggests most performances are "lacking the repose and charm that can balance their energy", although he loves his "furious" 45.

Anyway, thanks for the insightful comments, I'll put Harnoncourt, gingerly, back on my playlist. (At the moment K320 not sounding warm and loveable, I'm afraid, I think I'll have to quit before the end... suffering from Mozart overdose...)

[Stanfordian]

I fondly recall an outstanding concert from a few years as ago at Semperoper Dresden, Daniel Barenboim conducting Vienna Philharmonic in a concert of Mozart's Symphonies No's 39, 40 & 41 'Jupiter'.

[jayne lee wilson]

Open the book in "Look Inside". Type "Harnoncourt monster" into the "Look inside" search box; that should get you straight to the most pungent criticism :) The reviews are of early Teldec/CMW.



Good point, I just got a free 90 days with Amazon Unlimited and I'm now listening to his Harnoncourt/CMW/Sony 35 and I rather like it, the first movements *is* on fire, the slow movement is quite lovely and certainly not a battle cry, and he is insightful throughout, makes you sit up and listen. Maybe a bit Timpani & brass heavy in the final movement? But even there he segues into a beautiful melody. Marriner's Philips/analog Haffner, although beautiful in parts, does tend to drag; can't say that about Harnoncourt!



I do like some of his Haydn with CMW/Teldec, he's my favourite for 45 & 60, where he makes most others look rather bland. The "third ear" reviewer for Haydn seems to dislike Harnoncourt/CMW/Teldec less than the Mozart reviewer, but still suggests most performances are "lacking the repose and charm that can balance their energy", although he loves his "furious" 45.

Anyway, thanks for the insightful comments, I'll put Harnoncourt, gingerly, back on my playlist. (At the moment K320 not sounding warm and loveable, I'm afraid, I think I'll have to quit before the end... suffering from Mozart overdose...)

Well, the Mozart-Harnoncourt-monster got pretty short shrift didn't it? It was a much worse and more dated generalisation than I'd expected, one I can't take very seriously, sorry. Third Ear is evidently not on the level of the Penguin Guide, which was always characterised by its generosity of spirit and broadminded critical intelligence.

But thanks for taking the trouble to listen to some more Harnoncourt - perhaps that Posthorn might sound a little fresher when you've had a break from Wolfie for a bit?
I have to add - sounding like the hifi obsessive I unashamedly am - that low bitrate streamers like Amazon don't help recordings like the Harnoncourt, where the lossy sound will tend to emphasise speed, aggression and attack over timbral colour or richness. Of course this doesn't prevent enjoyment (or like/dislike!), but critically speaking, it really doesn't tell you the whole, very wonderful tale. You really do need CD-resolution or higher for that (those late Sony Mozart recordings are available in 24/96 as well, and very splendid they sound).

(Always worth checking for cheap CDs, like this one....https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mozart-Symp...oncourt+mozart)

[HighlandDougie]

I was about to buy the “Used - £3.98” copy when I remembered that I have the (rather unwieldy) big Sony Harnoncourt box (a Black Friday cheapo from 2017). And may I be struck down for being a snooty and bad person but Fr. Ritter’s day job as a Greek Orthodox priest in Georgia (USA, not the Caucuses) plus some of his reviews in the American Record Guide/Fanfare don’t fill me with confidence as someone whose judgement - as opposed to prejudices - I feel inclined to respect. Shades of that other well-known “sage”, Dr Hurwitz.

[HighlandDougie]

Hat-eating time - I've been listening to various of the Adam Fischer cycle CDs and, with apologies to Silvestrione (whom I know is a person of taste and distinction so I shouldn't be surprised), greatly enjoying them. A bit fierce at times - but no bad thing. Worth looking out for as a bargain, although still good value at:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mozart-Danish-National-Chamber-Orchestra/dp/B00FETUPN4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1549993419&sr=8-1&keywords=mozart+adam+fischer

[Mal]

Hat-eating time - I've been listening to various of the Adam Fischer cycle CDs and, with apologies to Silvestrione (whom I know is a person of taste and distinction so I shouldn't be surprised), greatly enjoying them. A bit fierce at times - but no bad thing. Worth looking out for as a bargain, although still good value at:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mozart-Dani...t+adam+fischer

Are there performances of particular symphonies that stand out?

[silvestrione]

Are there performances of particular symphonies that stand out?

Well for me the 'Prague' is one of the very best I have ever heard, although it IS a bit fierce at times, and I regret there isn't more 'body' in the sound of the first violins. That is in Vol 10, and the CDs are beautifully produced, and the booklet has illuminating essays, not on the works on the disc, but on Mozart's finances, and 'Mozart and the Trumpet', which I rather enjoyed.

PS thanks to Highland Dougie for those kind words, daunting as they are as something to try to live up to!

[Bryn]

Hat-eating time - I've been listening to various of the Adam Fischer cycle CDs and, with apologies to Silvestrione (whom I know is a person of taste and distinction so I shouldn't be surprised), greatly enjoying them. A bit fierce at times - but no bad thing. Worth looking out for as a bargain, although still good value at:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mozart-Dani...t+adam+fischer

If one is happy with lossless doanloads (+ 'digital' booklet) QOBUS has it for less than half the price of the CDs from Amazon.

https://www.qobuz.com/fr-fr/album/mozart-45-symphonies-mozart-wolfgang-amadeus/0636943120118

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Does anyone have recordings of nos. 2, 3 & 37 (all by other composers)?

[verismissimo]

Does anyone have recordings of nos. 2, 3 & 37 (all by other composers)?

37 is in the 'complete' Mozart symphonies box by AAM/Hogwood. First movement by WAM, I think.

[MickyD]

This is probably the best Mozart recording that Harnoncourt made with CMW - a total success, in my view.



...and cheap copies are to be had on Amazon.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

37 is in the 'complete' Mozart symphonies box by AAM/Hogwood.

First movement by WAM, I think.

Just the slow introduction, IIRC.

[jayne lee wilson]

This is probably the best Mozart recording that Harnoncourt made with CMW - a total success, in my view.



...and cheap copies are to be had on Amazon.

Have you heard the late k320, or the final 39-41 trilogy, both with the CMW on Sony? If not, try to find a way....

[Bryn]

If one is happy with lossless downloads (+ 'digital' booklet) QOBUS has it for less than half the price of the CDs from Amazon.

https://www.qobuz.com/fr-fr/album/mo.../0636943120118

Just downloaded. With their currency conversion rate today it came to £18.27.

[MickyD]

Have you heard the late k320, or the final 39-41 trilogy, both with the CMW on Sony? If not, try to find a way....

No, can't say that I have, Jayne..thanks, will seek them out.

I see that there is also a 7CD box of Harnoncourt and the CMW doing 37 of Mozart's early symphonies...I had no idea that they did these. Will definitely put them on the shopping list in order to compare with the Hogwood cycle.