Prom 28: Leif Ove Andsnes – Mozart Momentum 1 (7.08.22)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

15:00 Sunday 7 August 2022 ON TV
Royal Albert Hall

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: The Marriage of Figaro – overture
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 22 in E flat major

Mahler Chamber Orchestra
Leif Ove Andsnes piano/director

When Mozart composed his piano concertos, he had a very specific performer in mind – himself. For Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes, that’s part of the appeal. ‘When you realise how quickly Mozart developed during the early years of the 1780s it makes you ask: why did this happen? What was going on?’ Tonight, this endlessly engaging, multi-award-winning pianist puts himself in Mozart’s shoes, as he plays two contrasting masterworks from 1785: the tempestuous and tender Concerto No. 20, and the sunny, gloriously playful Concerto No. 22. Throughout, he’ll direct the Mahler Chamber Orchestra from the keyboard, just as Mozart would have done. Expect eloquence, insight and (because this is Mozart, after all) lots and lots of fun.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Is it just me, or are the BBC's concert descriptions becoming more embarrassing?

[cloughie]

Is it just me, or are the BBC's concert descriptions becoming more embarrassing?

I’d say Naff.

[oddoneout]

I wonder who added that last sentence - and why. Also, I know it's slightly pedantic, but I don't think Mozart would have directed the Mahler Chamber Orchestra....

[jonfan]

Is it just me, or are the BBC's concert descriptions becoming more embarrassing?

I’d say so. The D minor Concerto is nowhere near my idea of fun, other aspects of humanity for sure.

[Maclintick]

I’d say so. The D minor Concerto is nowhere near my idea of fun, other aspects of humanity for sure.

Quite so. The last sentence of the BBC blurb is meaningless guff. Why does Mozart signify "lots & lots of fun" any more than Schoenberg, for example...

[Nick Armstrong]

Is it just me, or are the BBC's concert descriptions becoming more embarrassing?

Thanks for copying it in illegible type size & colour then - the only way to preserve enjoyment, indeed sanity, is to ignore the inane puff that passes for presentation these days - ditto, the verbal variety before, during and after broadcast concerts. Recording/catch-up is the only way to go, and being deft on the buttons to get only the music.

On this basis, superlative music-making so far in this concert, judging from the earlier tv transmission

[ardcarp]

the only way to preserve enjoyment, indeed sanity, is to ignore the inane puff that passes for presentation these days - ditto, the verbal variety before, during and after broadcast concerts

Isn't it awful? Silly people trying to sound intellectual/profound just make themselves even sillier. HOWEVER, I loved tonight's Prom. Mrs A and I were transfixed by the two Mozart Piano Concertos. Playing superbly sensitive. Personally I much prefer this to a period instrument performance. The modern Steinway has such a wide range of touch and is capable of allowing the pianist amazing phrasing. Not that I'm anti-HIPP, but for us, tonight's playing was spot on from soloist and chamber orchestra.

[jonfan]

Mrs A and I were transfixed by the two Mozart Piano Concertos. Playing superbly sensitive. Personally I much prefer this to a period instrument performance. The modern Steinway has such a wide range of touch and is capable of allowing the pianist amazing phrasing. Not that I'm anti-HIPP, but for us, tonight's playing was spot on from soloist and chamber orchestra.

Agree, I enjoy hearing period instruments in pieces of their time but draw the line at fortepianos. Give me the modern piano every time.

[Bryn]

Agree, I enjoy hearing period instruments in pieces of their time but draw the line at fortepianos. Give me the modern piano every time.

Sorry to read of your problem with the instruments this music was composed to be played on. So many timbres and touch features are lost when a modern even-timbre piano is used. Good that you do not object to the natural trumpets though. I found the concept and execution aiming at what Mozart might have made of these works, had he access to a form of instrument he was quite unfamiliar with the playing properties of, thoroughly musical, for what its worth.

[cloughie]

I could have put money on Bryn weighing in within a couple of postings with the earnest HIPP replacement viewpoint!

[Ein Heldenleben]

Sorry to read of your problem with the instruments this music was composed to be played on. So many timbres and touch features are lost when a modern even-timbre piano is used. Good that you do not object to the natural trumpets though. I found the concept and execution aiming at what Mozart might have made of these works, had he access to a form of instrument he was quite unfamiliar with the playing properties of, thoroughly musical, for what its worth.

There’s been an interesting juxtaposition this pm on Radio Three with Ronald Brautigam playing a Schubert Trio on a fortepiano from Edinburgh and Leif Ove Andes playing a somewhat earlier Mozart Piano Trio and Piano Quartet on a modern Steinway . It helps that both are superb musicians - but both struck me as equally musically valid. It might be the balance or the playing or indeed Mozarts writing ) but the Steinway inevitably dominates the texture more than the fortepiano.

[jonfan]

Sorry to read of your problem with the instruments this music was composed to be played on. So many timbres and touch features are lost when a modern even-timbre piano is used. Good that you do not object to the natural trumpets though. I found the concept and execution aiming at what Mozart might have made of these works, had he access to a form of instrument he was quite unfamiliar with the playing properties of, thoroughly musical, for what its worth.

I’m sure you’re right, but a fortepiano always, to my ears, sounds out of tune. Must be the timbre.

[Belgrove]

Sorry to read of your problem with the instruments this music was composed to be played on. So many timbres and touch features are lost when a modern even-timbre piano is used. Good that you do not object to the natural trumpets though. I found the concept and execution aiming at what Mozart might have made of these works, had he access to a form of instrument he was quite unfamiliar with the playing properties of, thoroughly musical, for what its worth.

Synaesthesia is mostly a gift, but it can also be a curse, with certain instruments causing an unpleasant chromatic response that can be equated with pain, period keyboard instruments (with electric guitars and bagpipes) being principal culprits. Were I around in Mozart’s time, I simply would have avoided the music. So, not being a masochist, claims for authenticity cut no ice.

[Bryn]

Synaesthesia is mostly a gift, but it can also be a curse, with certain instruments causing an unpleasant chromatic response that can be equated with pain, period keyboard instruments (with electric guitars and bagpipes) being principal culprits. Were I around in Mozart’s time, I simply would have avoided the music. So, not being a masochist, claims for authenticity cut no ice.

If you like to believe that, so be it. I doubt it has any basis in physical reality.