Search - Malcolm Bilson, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, English Baroque Soloists :: Complete Piano Concertos

Period instruments unparalleled

Nannette Belt | Chicago, IL USA | 03/04/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Being the fortepiano-maker's daughter, I might be biased, but I think that Mozart's piano concertos deserve to played on period instruments. Bilson's performance only improves the experience. I recently heard No. 26 performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra with Daniel Barenboim on the piano and couldn't help but wish that the piano weren't a modern one.I've listened to this set of CDs for the last 6 years. In my opinion, it's a must for fans of these wonderful pieces."

A new approach to Mozart's interpretation

Corrado Speranza | Perugia, Italy | 08/10/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This cd-set contains all Mozart's piano concertos (the concertos Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 are not included because they are arrangements of concertos by other composers). The novelty of this collection is the use of original instruments: we are not accustomed to listen to the sound of a fortepiano in the place of a modern piano in works with full orchestra. Bilson gives a very refined interpretation of all the concertos but sometimes the sound of the fortepiano is smothered by the orchestra, in particular by the wind instruments (you can examine for example the concerto k449): maybe it is the only shortage of this recording. Gardiner and the English Baroque Soloists are very good and their performance gives us the possibility to listen to these masterpieces like Mozart conceived them."

Beautiful Interpretation on Original Instruments

Walter O. Koenig | San Diego, California, USA | 11/23/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Of all the Classical Music I own, my favorites by far are Mozart's Piano Concertos. I can listen to them while writing, or reading, in the background while working in my house, or I can listen actively, paying close attention. The Concertos can be both light and demanding. They are playful and serious. Much is left up to the listener. Their versatilty is part of their everlasting beauty. I never tire of them.I like this Set by Malcolm Bilson a lot because of the sound of the Original Instruments, which is different from other sets. The playing of Bilson is excellent, as are the English Baroque Soloists under direction of John Eliot Gardiner. The Piano sometimes gets a little lost in the sound of the Orchestra, but I prefer it this way rather than the other way around. This set of 9 CD's (Brendel and Perahia are each 12 CD sets, see below) also contains some that are very long (77, 74, 73 and 72 minutes). I don't know if it is true, but I have heard that this may affect the quality. I can not hear the difference, but some of the longer CD's skip on my Discman.This is the third set of Complete Mozart Piano Concertos I own, and also the third five star review I have written. The others are: Murray Perhaia and the English Chamber Orchestra: Sony SX 12K 46 441 Alfred Brendel with Sir Neville Marriner and the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields: Philips 422 507-2I have found that listening to all three Sets makes me more aware of the Music. I won't say one is better than the other. Sometimes I like one more, sometimes another. I'll let you deecide. They're all great, and they all help me to enjoy and appreciate the Genius of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart."