Search - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Otto Klemperer, New Philharmonia Orchestra :: mozart: symphonien nr. 25,29,31, u.a. klemperer(Così fan tutte Overture )

Even More of Old Klemp's Mozart

Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 11/08/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This title in EMI's "The Klemperer Legacy" series features the great conductor's stereo recordings of Mozart's 25th, 29th and 31st Symphonies, the Overture to "Cosi Fan Tutti," and the "Adagio and Fugue," K546. The Overture and Symphony No. 29 were recorded in 1964 and '65 respectively with the New Philharmonia Orchestra, while the "Adagio" and Symphony No. 25 (both 1956), and Symphony No. 31 (1963) were made with the Philharmonia Orchestra. Many of Klemperer's recordings at this late stage in his career suffer from slow tempos, but his Mozart does maintain its stride. Generally though, I consider "Old Klemp's" Mozart performances a notch below other vintage accounts by Bohm, Walter or Leinsdorf. But with these particular Symphonies, you have the following problems. Bohm's accounts are only available as import titles, Walter recorded 25 and 29 but they are in mono and will shortly go out of print, and Leinsdorf's brilliant Mozart Symphony cycle has been out of print for a decade. And besides Klemperer's renditions are quite good compared to the vast majority of titles out there, and overall are a joy to have in my collection. In fact, I'm going to award this title five stars, while in my other two reviews of Klemp's Mozart Symphonies I only gave four. My reason is foremost because this disc has so much good music, but I would also like to acknowledge that, to his credit, Klemperer was one of the few leading conductors of his time to even bother to record the pre-Haffner Mozart Symphonies. As with many other EMI series, "Klemperer Legacy" discs are becoming harder to find and some are already out of print. Interested parties should purchase this CD quickly."

More unsurpassed Mozart from Klemperer in his seventies

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 07/22/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"His seventies was a great decade for Klemperer, perhaps the greatest. He could sitll summon the alert vitality that had always been a hallmark of his style, and to that he added a kind of gravity which would seem to be just what Mozart doesn't need. Through personal alchemy the crippled giant managed to make his Mozart sound both serious and light, the play of a musical mind that knew life deeply but still loved it.



These recordings date from between 1956 and 1966--Klemperer turned 80 in 1965--and thus they benefit from stereo, unlike his excellent earlier Mozart recordings, also for EMI. Those have been reissued by Testament and are worth hearing for no other reason than Klemperer's greatness. As fine as everything is on this CD, three recordings stand out: Sym. #25, Sym. #29, and the Over. to Cosi fan tutte. These three in particular give us that amazing balance between affection and rigor, joy and sobriety that only Klmeperer could pull off.



The "little G minor" suymphony, dating from 1956, has sound that's a bit thin, but in general Klemperer was lucky with sonics, and everything here, as remastered in 2000, is very listenable. The Philharmonia wasn't the equal of the Berlin Phil. or the Vienna Phil., but thanks to their rapport with Klemperer, their sound in Mozart was equal to either. In sum, a must-listen.



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