Mozart :Piano Concertos K466 & 595 - Pires/Abbado and Orchestra Mozart

[Barbirollians]

Just started listening to this new record this morning . I think the performance of K595 is probably the best I have ever heard . The playing of the orchestra is superb- the interplay between soloist and orchestra takes your breath away and Pires makes it sound like something I have never heard before - the freshness of her interpretation is remarkable . Absolutely marvellous .

K466 about to start.

[JFLL]

Just started listening to this new record this morning . I think the performance of K595 is probably the best I have ever heard . The playing of the orchestra is superb- the interplay between soloist and orchestra takes your breath away and Pires makes it sound like something I have never heard before - the freshness of her interpretation is remarkable . Absolutely marvellous .

K466 about to start.

Wonderful combination in Mozart, aren't they (Pires/Abbado)? I haven't heard KK 466/595, but their recording of KK 449/453/467 is one of my all-time favourites, and I thought I'd heard enough versions in my lifetime before it came along.

[amateur51]

Wonderful combination in Mozart, aren't they (Pires/Abbado)? I haven't heard KK 466/595, but their recording of KK 449/453/467 is one of my all-time favourites, and I thought I'd heard enough versions in my lifetime before it came along.

Is Pires Abbado's replacement for Grimaud, I wonder? Those Busoni cadenzas, eh?!

[Osborn]

Breathtaking indeed Barbie. Her crystalline playing is astounding, incredibly fluid with every note perfectly weighted. I think the partnership with Abbado is made in heaven; he's wonderfully attentive, always participating & creating an organic whole - & the orchestra is superb. This must be their 3rd or 4th collaboration, all jewels, but this is especially lovely.

(I think it's a shame that in London she's was engaged to play these concertos with Haitink/LSO. IMO the LSO has the wrong sort of sound for Pires & more than once she bullied Haitink into accepting the tempo she wanted.)

[Thropplenoggin]

Inspired by your prize, B, I checked this out on Qobuz.

To be honest, I prefer k.595's Larghetto to be played more slowly than Pires/Abbado. It feels too rushed to me, more andante. Howard Shelley and the London Mozart Players (Chandos) absolutely nail this piece for me. It's usually available for a low price on Amazon. Highly recommended.

[Stanfordian]

Inspired by your prize, B, I checked this out on Qobuz.

To be honest, I prefer k.595's Larghetto to be played more slowly than Pires/Abbado. It feels too rushed to me, more andante. Howard Shelley and the London Mozart Players (Chandos) absolutely nail this piece for me. It's usually available for a low price on Amazon. Highly recommended.

With regard to the Mozart piano concertos I have now quite a large number of versions. Certainly my taste has changed over the years and I tend to prefer more classical finesse and sensitivity with poetry if achievable as opposed to attempts at Romantic cut and thrust. For me Mitsuko Uchida has few peers in Mozart and her new series of Mozart concertos (3 discs so far) with her playing and directing the Cleveland Orchestra on Decca is consistently delighting me and goes to the top of my list.

[Barbirollians]

It is a new live recording JFLL . K 466 is special too . On the Larghetto does sound at all rushed to me although I note it is quicker than most other performances .

[richardfinegold]

With regard to the Mozart piano concertos I have now quite a large number of versions. Certainly my taste has changed over the years and I tend to prefer more classical finesse and sensitivity with poetry if achievable as opposed to attempts at Romantic cut and thrust. For me Mitsuko Uchida has few peers in Mozart and her new series of Mozart concertos (3 discs so far) with her playing and directing the Cleveland Orchestra on Decca is consistently delighting me and goes to the top of my list.

I've long preferred the Casadesus/Szell recordings. Apparently they have been reissued again in updated sound

[mikealdren]

I still find the Kempff performances hit the spot for me, elegant, poised and immaculately timed yet with emotion as well.

Mike

[Barbirollians]

There are hatfuls of great recordings - as well as those mentioned Anda,Argerich in K466 , Curzon in K595 , Richter in K482 and 595 , Annie Fischer , Clara Haskil etc etc - and that is even before Brendel. Perahia et al.

I was just very taken with this Pires recording but I have ordered the new Uchida -K271 - that is a desert island disc piece for me - and Andras Schiff just has it for me at present in that one.

[mikealdren]

You've whetted my appetite for Pires, I love her playing

Mike

[Barbirollians]

I do agree with you about Kempff . His K488 & K491 are sublime.

BBC4 are currently reminding me too of what a superb Mozart player Richard Goode is.

[mikealdren]

Yes and his versions of K482 and K467 with the Bamberg and Klee are worth seeking out too.

Mike

[JFLL]

It is a new live recording JFLL . K 466 is special too . On the Larghetto does sound at all rushed to me although I note it is quicker than most other performances .

Thanks, BB. I thought I'd download it as a FLAC, but on the DG site it's only available via iTunes, which I don't (and won't) have, and Qobuz says 'not available in the UK'. Amazon don't do a download, and anyway that wouldn't be up to scratch bitrate-wise. So it's the CD for me (quite pricey, as usual with DG), unless you or someone else can give me another source of a decent download.

[Barbirollians]

Just taken delivery of the new Uchida .

K271 - which is my favourite of all his concertos is superbly played but I cannot help but feel it is a rather middle -aged performance not one of a Jeunehomme or fille for that matter . The first movement is too slow for me , the opening though gracefully played lacks joie de vivre and the originality of that opening is not very striking as I feel it ought to seem . The slow movement is very fine but not as moving as Schiff/Vegh - the finale goes best and the Presto has what is missing a bit from the earlier movements .

Just going on to listen to K467 .