Prom 34 (13.08.20) Scottish Chamber Orchestra/Mackerras

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

The Scottish Chamber Orchestra and its then Conductor Laureate Charles Mackerras collaborated with Alfred Brendel on a series of performances and recordings of the piano concertos by Mozart, and they brought the grandest of them all to the Proms in 2001, along with an Italianate Symphony from the late 1770s. The classical strand continued with Schubert's rarely heard early Fourth Symphony, and Stravinsky's neoclassical string concerto.


Mozart: Symphony No. 32, K318
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 25, K503
Stravinsky: Concerto in D
Schubert: Symphony No.4, ‘Tragic’

Alfred Brendel (piano)
Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Sir Charles Mackerras (conductor)

(From BBC Proms 2001, 5 September)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

A true classic.

[LMcD]

What a wonderfully varied programme - I shall definitely be listening!

[makropulos]

Can't wait to hear this wonderful concert again. Both Mackerras and Brendel were on terrific form and the programme is a joy.

[Keraulophone]

K503, one of Mozart’s very finest efforts, will assist my household with either celebratory joy or some solace on A-level results day. Murray Perahia’s recording with the ECO has long been waiting on my desert island, but Brendel always has something fascinating to reveal.

[LMcD]

K503, one of Mozart’s very finest efforts, will assist my household with either celebratory joy or some solace on A-level results day. Murray Perahia’s recording with the ECO has long been waiting on my desert island, but Brendel always has something fascinating to reveal.

I've already got MORE than enough recordings of Mozart piano concertos, thank you!
They bring out the best in performers - Brendel, Perahia, Eschenbach, Barenboim, Uchida, Curzon ....
It's hard to pick a favourite work by Mozart, but if forced to choose just one I think a recording of K491 (which I saw André Previn play and direct with his back to the main body of the audience) would definitely be among my desert island picks.
... or would it be K421?
... or K478?
... or K452?
... or K364?
Oh dear!

[BBMmk2]

One more to catch up on!

[cloughie]

I've already got MORE than enough recordings of Mozart piano concertos, thank you!
They bring out the best in performers - Brendel, Perahia, Eschenbach, Barenboim, Uchida, Curzon ....
It's hard to pick a favourite work by Mozart, but if forced to choose just one I think a recording of K491 (which I saw André Previn play and direct with his back to the main body of the audience) would definitely be among my desert island picks.
... or would it be K421?
... or K478?
... or K452?
... or K364?
Oh dear!

K452, 364 definitely there I’d add 334, 498, 250, 286, 320, 356, 618, 299
PCs K453 and K459, And top Sym, K543.

[Alison]

A quite wonderful concert, loved every bar, so fresh and alive.

A most arresting rendition of K318 and still three no less bracing works to come.

Brendel at his very best in K503. Two musicians of consummate artistry.

And I especially enjoyed brass and timpani throughout!

[Keraulophone]

Brendel’s playing in K503 was full of imagination, tenderness, humanity... I could go on, but words cannot suffice to describe such playing, and the palpable rapport with Sir Charles was a joyful thing.

(Solace not required on A-level results day - daughter will join the choir of Trinity College, Cambridge; let’s hope they can sing again soon.)

[LMcD]

K452, 364 definitely there I’d add 334, 498, 250, 286, 320, 356, 618, 299
PCs K453 and K459, And top Sym, K543.

Dunno how I managed to forget 498 - and 201 - and 424! Brendel's 503 was every bit as wonderful as I'd hoped.
Nice to hear Sandy Burnett again!

[Alison]

Nice to hear Sandy Burnett again!

Yes it was. I can remember when he was the new kid on the block and not to all tastes.

[Edgy 2]

A quite wonderful concert, loved every bar, so fresh and alive.

A most arresting rendition of K318 and still three no less bracing works to come.

Brendel at his very best in K503. Two musicians of consummate artistry.

And I especially enjoyed brass and timpani throughout!

Perfect

[Edgy 2]

If forced to pick just one favourite Mozart work I'd go for the String Quartet K387

[makropulos]

A quite wonderful concert, loved every bar, so fresh and alive.

A most arresting rendition of K318 and still three no less bracing works to come.

Brendel at his very best in K503. Two musicians of consummate artistry.

And I especially enjoyed brass and timpani throughout!

Completely agree –a glorious concert which made for a wonderful evening back then and again last night.