BaL 30.12.17 - Mozart: Symphony no. 38 in D, K.504 "Prague"

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Can't argue with that, but there are many ways to skin a cat.

In relation to your earlier comments about this symphony being his best, I'M beginning to see it that way too.

I think the last four are all so ryddu good that I don't think I can single out any of them as "the best" - but the Prague is my favourite of them. I think.

I don't agree about the repeats in the first movement

Boo! Hiss!

[jayne lee wilson]

It is good, isn't it! And he does the Devlt/Recap repeat in the First Movement, too!! Wonderful. I wouldn't be at all surprised/annoyed if this gets the "modern" instrument recommendation - though my own loyalties to Lennie remain. But this is damn fine, damn fine indeed.

Unless it actually is played on period instruments, like their recording of the Mozart Violin Concertos with Carmignola, their Pergolesi and their Bach....
The Qobuz (Allmusic) note to the release including symphonies 29 - 41 specifies " Orchestra Mozart....a newly founded period instrument orchestra" but I don't have the booklet to hand. Even in some of the booklets (e.g the Schumann 2) the instrumentarium isn't specified, and I read somewhere that Orchestra Mozart do change between old and new according to the project. Maybe someone who has the CDs could check if the note specifies anything...

Listening on Qobuz HiFi the sonority in the symphonies sounds close, though not identical to, that of the Violin Concertos - those do have a smaller orchestra more closely recorded, the symphonies a larger one, more distanced in the acoustic...
Which, on a quick sampling, is definitely HIPP-enough for me and sounds very good, if a touch dry - I might buy this one!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

ryddu

If that's an attempt at Welsh spelling, please note that "dd" is pronounced like a soft "th".

[cloughie]

I think the last four are all so ryddu good that I don't think I can single out any of them as "the best" - but the Prague is my favourite of them. I think.


Boo! Hiss!

I think I would add the Linz and bearing in mind the uncertain nature of No 37 I would say the last 5 are all ruddy good i'd order them 39 38 36 41 40 but that's this week

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I think I would add the Linz and bearing in mind the uncertain nature of No 37 I would say the last 5 are all ruddy good i'd order them 39 38 36 41 40 but that's this week

#37 has a very good first twenty bars! Yes - 39 and 38 always jostle for first place in my affections; and as #39 is coupled with both the Pragues I've played today, I'll probably play the Pinnock and Abbado versions tomorrow - and may revise my opinion tomorrow. But for now - the miracles of the Prague are foremost in my mind and affections.

[Nick Armstrong]

I wonder if the Krips/Concertgebouw recording will get a look-in during this BAL. They rarely do in this country.... but they are the Mozart symphony recordings I return to most often. Bought them all in France (where they are revered, in contrast it seems to over here).

[Bryn]

. . . I'll probably play the Pinnock and Abbado versions tomorrow - and may revise my opinion tomorrow. But for now - the miracles of the Prague are foremost in my mind and affections.

From the 225 box?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Yes. I had the Krips recordings of Symphonies 21-41 in the Philips Mozart Edition on LP (some years before the mammoth CD edition). They are excellent readings, freshly played and thoughtful.

[Bryn]

Yes. I had the Krips recordings of Symphonies 21-41 in the Philips Mozart Edition on LP (some years before the mammoth CD edition). They are excellent readings, freshly played and thoughtful.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dclassical&field-keywords=mozart+symphonies+krips

[Bryn]

For the mature Mozart symphonies on modern beefed up instruments I remain grateful to Rob Cowan for recommending the RCO/Harnoncourt recordings (partnered with ABO/Koopman in the early symphonies. Must spin K. 504 from that box in the morning.

[Nick Armstrong]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb...mphonies+krips

Great to see they are available here. They were absent from the UK market for long years, when I acquired mine (a series of separate bargain-priced Phillips CDs) in France.

Whatever the reviewer.... ( - just noticed it's Service... ) ... well, whatever he concludes, no one would regret buying this set, imho. Essential.

[richardfinegold]

I wonder if the Krips/Concertgebouw recording will get a look-in during this BAL. They rarely do in this country.... but they are the Mozart symphony recordings I return to most often. Bought them all in France (where they are revered, in contrast it seems to over here).

I listened to the pairing of the Prague and the Paris that was rereleased by Pentatone in Multichannel . Petrushka and I were extolling the rest of the Krips recordings (the set referenced in posts above) a while back. The Concertgebouw has so much instrumental color that it is a striking contrast to the sound of HIPP playing--vive le difference! The Prague is given a rousing treatment that wouldn't disappoint anyone, but it has just enough "big band" anachronisms to disqualify it as a first choice.

[Barbirollians]

I was very disappointed with the Abbado recording slick and soulless .

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

From the 225 box?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I was very disappointed with the Abbado recording slick and soulless .

An extraordinary reaction, Barbs - I'm really sorry it struck you this way.