mozart recommendation please

i just got pinnock/english concert (original instruments) and am quite pleased with both the performance and the recording.

Why?
because no matter how good the performance it looses something for me if I can't hear all the instruments. I wanr to hear as much of what was written as possible
SJ

quote:

Originally posted by stephenjohn:
Why?
because no matter how good the performance it looses something for me if I can't hear all the instruments. I wanr to hear as much of what was written as possible
SJ

if you can read music, buy a score. it helps tremendously. meanwhile, you'll hear everything on the pinnock/english concert.

You could also look at the Linn Records site. I have an old vinyl copy of their English Classical Players version of No.40 which suits me ok, but then again I am a classical peasant!

Steeve

quote:

Originally posted by mikeeschman:

quote:

Originally posted by stephenjohn:
Why?
because no matter how good the performance it looses something for me if I can't hear all the instruments. I wanr to hear as much of what was written as possible
SJ

if you can read music, buy a score. it helps tremendously. meanwhile, you'll hear everything on the pinnock/english concert.

i just gave this a good listen again. you probably won't like it. the hall is very reverberant and the original instrument strings sound quite "lean".

on the other hand, they do play the hell out of it.

I can't think that you will do much better than Charles Mackerras with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra on Linn Records CRD 308. This 2-CD set contains Symphonies 38, 39, 40 and 41.
Ken

quote:

Originally posted by KenM:
I can't think that you will do much better than Charles Mackerras with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra on Linn Records CRD 308. This 2-CD set contains Symphonies 38, 39, 40 and 41.
Ken

please don't take this badly. it's just a friendly nudge.

some fellows on this forum
think Mackerras is like Chris Rocks' dad with Robitussin cough syrup.

got the flu- take some tussin.
broke your leg- put some tussin on it.

that tussin is good for everything.

Mackerras must be the tussin of the music world! :-)

Thanks for these suggestions guys.
When I started to buy classical music in the early 80s I would go and listen to a recording before I bought it. Now I don't get the time to go anywhere anymore. I buy off the internet. I also wonder though that listening through headphones in a shop, might not bear much resemblance to listening on my Naim kit. I've recently done a couple of upgrades that have made some recordings absolutely wondeful. Sadly my Mozart symphonies lack clarity. Asking guys with Naim kit seems very sensible to me.
SJ

I've never come across another conductor who has the same range as Mackerras (and with well over 100 discs in my collection I've not heard one I consider a dud), so, if not necessarily good for everything, certainly good for anything I've heard him try.


On the original topic, Mackerras's Mozart is extremely widely regarded (not just by me). The disc Ken mentions has had rave reviews all over the place.

You might also like to take a look at this earlier thread (to save me typing out my suggestions again - I mention the Mackerras disc here since it hadn't been made then):

http://forums.naim-audio.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/38019385/m/8722948407


regards, Tam

Again thanks for the recommendations. I looked on Amaazon both UK and US and read the reviews of the Mackerras, very good indeed, so I've ordered it.
Whilst looking I found that Karl Bohm is highly rated. I have some of his superb Beethoven. Has anyone heard his Mozart? I might buy both.
SJ

Here is a link to my reply to another fairly recent thread on this:

http://forums.naim-audio.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/3801938...132939617#7132939617

The whole thread has some very nice suggestions, though my favourite Mozart Symphonic recording so far come from Klemperer [EMI and in fairly traditional 20th Century style encompassing supreme clarity, and grace, and strength of vision], and Hogwood [Decca in equally luminous Historically Informed Performances], and I have a high regard for many others as my answer in the linked post suggests ...

ATB from George

Wow! just read the other thread. Very impressive. I could end up with several, and also now thinking of another Requiem; which one though?

I've listened to the Mackeras three times now - it is good and gains a lot over the Mariner, but it looses a little to though. Much more dynamic but a little less spiritual in the slow movements.
I've ordered the Bohm, chose over the Klemperer because I might have owned it over 20 years ago on a now lost casssette and seemed magical then. I'll buy the Klemperer if the Bohm doesn't do it.
best wishes
SJ

quote:

Originally posted by stephenjohn:
...also now thinking of another Requiem; which one though?

Harnoncourt.


--

Harnoncourt Requiem ordered

Bohm arrived - spiritual
Klemperer ordered.
I decided I had to hear for myself. I'll have 4 recordings to compare and contrast. I'll also try living with them a bit, then report back
best wishes
SJ

Dear All
All the CDs have arrived and I've listened through a couple or several times.
The Mariner AAM, that I started with still sounds good but missing a little, not much, detail of the interplay between the instruments in the adagio of the 40th.
Mackeras misses nothing but isn't quite so spiritual/dreamy. It is very goodlistening in the car as everything stands out.
Klemperer performance is both beautiful and exciting at times. I can understand why it is your favourite George, I like it a lot. For me the recording lets it down a little though - listening makes me wish I was there, ie I can't completely loose myself in listening.
I also bought Bernstien, digital recording on DG. Doesn't do it for me. Recording a bit off but performance doesn't excite either - not too sure why.
Finally, my favourite. The Bohm. Lovely, clear, graceful, spiritual.
I think two recoring are the minimum though - one period one big orchestral. Mackeras and Bohm for me.
thanks guys
best wishes
SJ