Search - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, The Queen's Chamber Trio :: Mozart: the 1788 Trios

Fantastic premier!!

Mozart on harpsichord collector | Dunedin, Otago New Zealand | 04/17/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"WELL DONE QUEEN'S CHAMBER TRIO! (And let's hope you will record the other 4 earlier trios some day soon to complete the set!)



This is another rare gem to Mozart on harpsichord recordings. It's high time all of Mozart's full keyboard output (sonatas, concertos, trios etc) were recorded on the HARPSICHORD instead of the usual piano, and this recording is a valuable and fine addition for those trying to collect Mozart's keyboard music in this perfectly viable and agreeable alternative. Even though Mozart took interest in and played the newer instrument, the fact remains that he himself continued right up until the end of his life to play the harpsichord. Even the likes of the second last keyboard concerto ("Coronation" K. 537 of 1788) was played on the harpsichord by the composer. Historically and musically there is full justification for playing Mozart's entire keyboard output on the harpsichord, but sadly, due to the 19th century piano dominated mentality that continues to persist to this day, much of Mozart's keyboard music has been chronically neglected when regarding the harpsichord alternative to the piano (both on the concert platform and in discography). Contrary to the biased opinions of today's (often anti-harpsichord) "pianist alliance", Mozart's music really comes alive when played on the harpsichord and there is a clarity, richness and elegant beauty that simply is not able to be captured when played on a piano. The playing by Queen's Chamber Trio (as well as the recording quality itself) is clean and crisp with good tempos and a non-distracting straight-forward meter that sounds so natural in Mozart and other 18th century composers; there is no pretentious indulgence in rubato playing (too often heard even by harpsichordists who ruin the natural flow of 'old regime' music). This recording is difficult to fault and is well worth having."