Search - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Fritz Lehmann, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra :: Mozart: Krönugskonzert, KV 537; Konzert für 2 Klaviere, KV 365; Rondos, KV 382 & 386

Fritz Lehmann, A Name to Know!

Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 12/14/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Those familiar with my Amazon reviews will know that I love DG's "Musik...Sprache der Welt" series, but the one title I had initial reservations about was Schubert's Incidental Music to Rosamunde by Fritz Lehmann. I had no idea who this conductor was, but after reading Jeff Lipscomb's glowing review I decided to get the disc from BMG. It was quite good and it whet my appetite for more by Lehmann, so I purchased his "DG Originals" disc of Brahms' German Requiem in the Amazon Marketplace (there are dozens of copies for under a dollar!) and I was hooked. Next I ordered two Import titles from the "Originals" series -- Handel's Water Music and Music for the Royal Fireworks (see my review), and this title featuring Mozart Piano Concertos 10 & 26 and Rondos for Piano & Orchestra KV 382 & 386. Recordings of Mozart PCs are in no short supply in my collection, and soloist Carl Seemann (with second pianist Andor Foldes on K365) gives solid performances, though I must confess I prefer Anda, Casadesus and Curzon in the K537. On the other hand I don't have many accounts of the Rondos, and while it's hard to beat Serkin in the 382, I do prefer Seemann to the Brendel/Marriner Rondos. And don't be discouraged that these are 1953 & 55 mono recordings because like many DG titles from this era, the sound is so crisp and clear you'd swear it was in stereo. I guess the only real problem I have with this disc is Amazon's price tag -- I mean why does this title cost more than Lehmann's Import Handel CD? Anyway, that's easily solved -- just order it from a Marketplace vendor for a cheaper price. Overall, I was so impressed by Lehmann's accounts that I plan to make his two newest titles in the "Sprache der Welt" series my first post-holiday purchases."