BaL 23.11.24 - Mozart: Symphony 40 (in G minor, K550)

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  • Pulcinella
    Host
    • Feb 2014
    • 11059

    BaL 23.11.24 - Mozart: Symphony 40 (in G minor, K550)

    1500
    Building a Library
    Mozart's Symphony no.40 in G minor K.550 with Nicholas Kenyon

    Mozart's G minor Symphony is one of his most powerful and popular works. He worked on the symphony in 1788 when during a period of just a few weeks he also finished the mighty 39th and 41st symphonies. The work has taken people in very different ways. The composer, Robert Schumann, for instance thought it possessed "Grecian lightness and grace", others have seen it as a work of passion, violence, and grief, and some people are struck by the the witty, conversational style also found in Mozart's great operas.

    Presto listing here:



    The BBC MM recording (Volume 19, Number 4) is from a Prom on 9 September 2010, with the BBCPO under Gianandrea Noseda.

    Recommended version:

    Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 40 & 41
    NDR Radiophilharmonie, Andrew Manze
    • Release Date: 8th Feb 2019
    • Catalogue No: PTC5186757
    • Label: Pentatone
    • Length: 74 minutes
    Last edited by Pulcinella; 23-11-24, 15:52.
  • smittims
    Full Member
    • Aug 2022
    • 4322

    #2
    I was pleasantly surprised by Fritz Reiner's recording, as he's not the first conductor I'd associate with Mozart.

    Comment

    • Barbirollians
      Full Member
      • Nov 2010
      • 11751

      #3
      Nicholas Kenyon - yawn .

      Comment

      • richardfinegold
        Full Member
        • Sep 2012
        • 7735

        #4
        Originally posted by smittims View Post
        I was pleasantly surprised by Fritz Reiner's recording, as he's not the first conductor I'd associate with Mozart.
        Reiner programmed a fair amount of Mozart but it wasn’t something the record companies wanted to record. Mozart in general wasn’t as frequently recorded as at present and Walter and Beacham dominated there

        Comment

        • silvestrione
          Full Member
          • Jan 2011
          • 1722

          #5
          I'm looking forward to this. I think Nicholas Kenyon will be good on Mozart.
          Most recently I've listened to Toscanini with the BBCSO, and on youtube, Rattle with the Elbphilharmonie, both excellent. There's Mackerras, of course....Abbado. Klemperer, Norrington, Briitten...too many repeats in the slow movement drive me round the bend though.

          Comment

          • Wolfram
            Full Member
            • Jul 2019
            • 280

            #6
            Originally posted by silvestrione View Post
            ...too many repeats in the slow movement drive me round the bend though.
            I’ve just finished listening to Britten’s recording, and I see exactly what you mean.

            Mackerras for me. Just a question of which one; the Prague or Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

            Comment

            • smittims
              Full Member
              • Aug 2022
              • 4322

              #7
              I must say I did like the Britten very much, and even more so his Aldeburgh concert perfromance which is on a DVD. He wasn't the only one to do all the repeats; I think Levine and the Vienna Philharmonic did too. But I remember Britten's record making quite a stir when it came out.

              Comment

              • MickyD
                Full Member
                • Nov 2010
                • 4807

                #8
                Originally posted by Barbirollians View Post
                Nicholas Kenyon - yawn .
                Oh no, I think he's fascinating! (and can always be relied upon to put in a few HIPP recordings - is that why you don't like him?! )

                Comment

                • Wolfram
                  Full Member
                  • Jul 2019
                  • 280

                  #9
                  Originally posted by silvestrione View Post
                  …too many repeats in the slow movement drive me round the bend though.
                  However, the repeats are not as irritating as Rene Jacobs’ mannerisims.
                  Last edited by Pulcinella; 07-11-24, 15:40. Reason: Layout correction

                  Comment

                  • pastoralguy
                    Full Member
                    • Nov 2010
                    • 7799

                    #10
                    So many fine recordings of this wonderful piece. Wasn’t there a Mackerras / London Philharmonic Orchestra recording on CfP? I’m sure that was my introduction to this work. I do know that my mother bought me the Karajan Berliner Philharmoniker recording when it was released as a 3 Lp set they were first released circa 1978. Not exactly HIPP but beautifully played.

                    Comment

                    • Pulcinella
                      Host
                      • Feb 2014
                      • 11059

                      #11
                      Originally posted by pastoralguy View Post
                      So many fine recordings of this wonderful piece. Wasn’t there a Mackerras / London Philharmonic Orchestra recording on CfP? I’m sure that was my introduction to this work. I do know that my mother bought me the Karajan Berliner Philharmoniker recording when it was released as a 3 Lp set they were first released circa 1978. Not exactly HIPP but beautifully played.
                      Indeed there was, and I have a copy of the CD on my shelves:

                      Last edited by Pulcinella; 07-11-24, 16:26.

                      Comment

                      • pastoralguy
                        Full Member
                        • Nov 2010
                        • 7799

                        #12
                        Originally posted by Pulcinella View Post
                        I’ve just looked at at the recordings I’ve have and it’s quite a few! I must have the Mackerras/LPO but it’s not anywhere I can lay my hands on.

                        Im really surprised that the Mackerras/SCO version is no longer available on Amazon and appears to be quite expensive on eBay. I’ve got two spare copies if anyone would like one. Just pm me and make a donation to charity.
                        Last edited by pastoralguy; 07-11-24, 16:40.

                        Comment

                        • CallMePaul
                          Full Member
                          • Jan 2014
                          • 802

                          #13
                          Originally posted by Wolfram View Post

                          I’ve just finished listening to Britten’s recording, and I see exactly what you mean.

                          Mackerras for me. Just a question of which one; the Prague or Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
                          I have his SCO recording and have seen no need for another, although I have always enjoyed Harnonvourt's performances, whether with the Royal Concertgebouw, COE or Concentus Musicus Wien.

                          Comment

                          • Petrushka
                            Full Member
                            • Nov 2010
                            • 12307

                            #14
                            This is an insane BaL! There are dozens upon dozens of recordings out there of every conceivable kind and coming up with just one is even more insane. I have an impossible number on my shelves and in various boxes and all have something to offer.

                            Furtwangler in 1948 might be my earliest - I'll check - while Abbado and Mackerras are possibly my latest, something I'll also check.
                            "The sound is the handwriting of the conductor" - Bernard Haitink

                            Comment

                            • pastoralguy
                              Full Member
                              • Nov 2010
                              • 7799

                              #15
                              Just listening to Karajan’s 1978 recording with Die Berliner Philharmoniker. Brings back memories!

                              Comment

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