BaL 08.06.24 - Mozart: Piano concerto 23 in A major, K488

[MickyD]

The first version of an HIP recording I heard of this work was by Jorg Demus with Collegium Aureum. It was described by a Gramophone critic as if we were looking through the wrong end of a telescope, so odd was the balance between orchestra and fortepiano. It did sound unconvincing to my ears too and it was only when Malcolm Bilson and John Eliot Gardiner came along with their cycle that I felt that the right balance had been achieved. We've had some other good HIP recordings since then, of course.

[Roger Webb]

Anybody recommend a recording, please?

I've just got out my LP set of Murray Perahia and played the 23rd...much as I remember it, beautiful flowing legato lines etc. But my go-to for a number of years has been my CD set of Malcolm Bilson playing a copy by Philip Belt of Mozart's Walter in the Geburtshaus in Salzburg with The English Baroque Soloists cond. John Eliot. Lovely singing tone, especially in the slow minor key second movt.

Also played recently Uchida and Brendel, but for me it's the Bilson.

BTW anyone remember the L'Oiseau-Lyre disc of the Walter piano actually recorded in the birthplace in Salzburg played by András Schiff with K545 and 570 on it?

[Roger Webb]

.........and it was only when Malcolm Bilson and John Eliot Gardiner came along with their cycle that I felt that the right balance had been achieved.

Great minds, and all that! If I'd seen your post first I probably would have just agreed with it!

[MickyD]

Great minds, and all that! If I'd seen your post first I probably would have just agreed with it!

Definitely telepathy going on here! I feel fortunate to have been to a concert with Bilson and Gardiner at St John's Smith Square when they were launching their Archiv cycle. I can't remember which piano concertos were played, though.

Yes, I remember the Schiff disc and have it on my shelves - must dig it out!

[CallMePaul]

BTW anyone remember the L'Oiseau-Lyre disc of the Walter piano actually recorded in the birthplace in Salzburg played by András Schiff with K545 and 570 on it?

I have it (bought from Oxfam earlier this year) and play it regularly. It contaons shorter pieces not often played and recorded as well as 2 sonatas and the C minor fantasia.

[Roger Webb]

I have it (bought from Oxfam earlier this year) and play it regularly. It contaons shorter pieces not often played and recorded as well as 2 sonatas and the C minor fantasia.

Yes, it's an interesting disc, despite the limited dimensions of the recording space - I presume the front room of 9 Getreidegasse - and, although Mozart would have used such pianos in domestic settings, by 1780 the Walter pianos were loud enough to fill larger rooms, and 'get over' an orchestra...albeit a smaller one than is sometimes used for modern recordings with a Steinway!

[oliver sudden]

Anybody recommend a recording, please?

My go-tos are Rubinstein/Barbirolli and Brautigam/Willens. Not that I know a particularly big proportion of the discography…

As far as my listening preferences go I’m normally a fairly hardline HIPPster with most things. For a while Bilson/Gardiner was my reference but nowadays it just sounds a bit too orchestral (and for that matter: conducted). The Brautigam has much more of a chamber music feel, which is more what I look for in these things nowadays.

I was just thinking to myself: shame Staier hasn’t got to this one. But he has, and I have it. I must spin it forthwith.

[oliver sudden]

Oh boo. I really wanted to like that.

[pastoralguy]

The reviewer once again saying ‘we haven’t got time…,’. How about cutting some of the dross that precedes ‘Record Review’ so that we can have a proper review of these library subjects?

[pastoralguy]

And again..l

[Pulcinella]

It wasn't me asking for a recommendation: I was quoting BBMmk2 from the Summer BaL thread.


But thanks anyway.

[Roger Webb]

Who said there weren't any bargain CDs about these days!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/166805772199

I'll stick with my Lp set........and Bilson, not mentioned - no time see!

[edashtav]

Lucy Parham chose her favourite version of Mozart's Piano Concerto No 23 in A major.

Excerpts played:
1. Leif Ove Andsnes Mahler CO 2022 Piano entry
2. Murray Periaha ECO first piano entry
3. Rudolph Buchbinder, fortepiano, Vienna Con. Musica, Harnoncourt
4. G.Sokolov plays continuo! 'gentle touch 'plucking notes out of the piano' Mahler CO ; Pinnock
5. Clara Haskill VSO Sacher 1954 'quality playing'
6. Mitsuko Uchida earlier recording 'lyrical playing' ECO Jeffrey Tate
7. Rudolf Serkin cadenza from 1st movement, Columbia SO, A.Schneider
8. Alicia de Larrocha, Colin Davis early 1990s
SLOW MOVEMENT:
9. Clara Haskill see 5. tempo 'on the go' 'great simplicity VSO Paul Sacher
10. Back to Mitsuko Uchuda 6. Serenity 'time suspended' c.1990
11. Buchbinder: issues with tuning , masterclass in decoration see 3. Vienna Con. Mus.
12. Murray Periaha 'achingly beautiful see 2.
RONDO FINALE
13. G.Sokolov 'effervescent brilliance', listen to bassoon!
14. In the running:
G.Sokolov, Alicia de Larrocha (new excerpt) & ...
15. Another short-listed Murray Periaha 'endlessly playful' but not the fastest

Last two include Alicia de Larrocha , 1991,which 'sings with an inner voice' and Murray Periaha.
16. Winner: Murray Periaha ' one of the greatest Mozart pianists of our age' 1980s Sony: alone or in complete piano concerti cycle

[oliver sudden]

It wasn't me asking for a recommendation: I was quoting BBMmk2 from the Summer BaL thread.


But thanks anyway.

Oh that was clear! But I thought getting back on the topic might not be such a bad idea.

Listening _almost_ live. Gosh that first Perahia clip was gorgeous. Not my thing though.

Why have period instrument recordings at all if you're only going to have one?

[MickyD]

Thanks, edashtav, for the list of today's contenders. Fascinating that the only HIP version was Buchbinder - I didn't even know this recording existed!