The Ultimate Prague Symphony?
Stephen Caratzas | Brooklyn, New York | 12/18/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"First of all, it is my opinion that Mozart is the greatest of all composers, ever, period. His music is sheer beauty, crafted with an almost indefinable complexity that is equal parts joy, power, urgency and grace. No one has ever managed to duplicate his vision.I also believe that Symphony No. 38 in D Major ("Prague") is arguably Mozart's greatest achievement. I have roughly 20 different versions of said symphony (Bohm, Marriner, Krips, etc.) -- and most of them are very fine, indeed. Curiously, it is this particular recording that I keep coming back to when I want to hear "the" version of the Prague. Something very special has been captured on this immaculate sounding Naxos budget disc. Barry Wordsworth conducts the Capella Istropolitana with the surety of a seasoned veteran. The playing is dramatic but never overstated, blissful without succumbing to cloying sweetness. There is a precise and satisfying punctuation to the symphony's resolving phrases that accentuates Mozart's genius for fitting elements together perfectly in his music. I highly recommend this wonderful disc."
Splendid
Leslie Richford | Selsingen, Lower Saxony | 10/02/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Although the woodwind (flute!) on this recording is rather 'breathy' and the recorded sound not as spacious as, for example, the Peter Maag 'Prague' on Arts (as well being clearly in an empty hall with a certain amount of 'echo'), the total impression made is a very good one, with Barry Wordsworth motivating the Capella Istropolitana to a pep-filled performance in the faster movements and some pleasant quieter moments in the andantes. Obviously, it is the 'Prague' symphony which is the showpiece here, and it is given a splendid run, but symphonies 29 and 30 should not be underestimated: I, for one, was grateful that they were included on this CD as I might otherwise never have heard them. Doubtless, there may be higher-priced recordings that top this one, but as a budget-priced introduction to Mozart's symphonies this CD deserves at least four stars."
