Search - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, James Levine, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra :: Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik; Posthorn-Serenade

A Beautiful Andantino in the Posthorn Serenade

Classicalfan | Reston, VA USA | 01/15/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This CD faces a great deal of stiff competition in a very crowded field, most especially with respect to Eine kleine Nachtmusik, which is one of the most recorded compositions in classical music. That being said, it holds its own very well and is thoroughly enjoyable.



The most distinctive and memorable moment of musical pleasure for me on this CD is the Andantino movement in the Posthorn-Serenade; at 9:34, it is almost twice as long as in the recording by Karl Bohm and much more fully brings out the tender, wistful, almost melancholy feeling of this movement than Bohm's. It reminded me a bit of the adagio movement from Mozart's Clarinet Concerto in A Major.



If you must get only one recording of Eine kleine Nachtmusik and the Posthorn Serenade, then the 2-CD set by Bohm is a better buy since it offers, like this CD, outstanding performances of these works, but also has the Serenata notturna and, most importantly, a wonderful, absolutely exquisite, magical performance of the "Haffner" Serenade, with gorgeous violin cadenzas by Thomas Brandis.



However, if you are inclined to buy two recordings of the same works and enjoy the differences in the performances and the crisp, crystal-clear digital clarity of the sound in Levine's recording, this CD is a worthy addition to your collection."

An outstanding Posthorn Serenade from Levine, the Yank abroa

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 02/10/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"So far as I know, the only two American conductors to record Mozart with the Vienna Phil. have been Bernstein and Levne. The former preferred a large-scale romantic approach, warm and full of affection. The latter, as this CD shows, prefers the same crisp, precise approach as his mentor George Szell. The difference is that Levine eschews Szell's driness and rigidity--this Posthorn Serenade sounds like Toscanini with a warm heart behind the discipline.



Levine is immensely aided by the Viena Phil's gorgeous sonority, especially in the melting woodwinds. But they aren't carrying him--he adds his own energy and inventiveness. The preceding Einie Kleine Nachtmusik, however, is a throw-away, a reading that everyone played in their sleep. Since the Posthorn lasts only 44 min., this CD isn't a bargain, and in addiiton the sonics from 1983 suffer from digital glare (I don't own the current remastering, however). I overlook these drawbacks because of the delightful musicality Levine and his orchestra exhibit. It's heartwarming that an American can succeed with Mozart on his home ground."