Search - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Lambert Orkis :: Mozart: The Violin Sonatas

Best ever.

Scordatura | 11/13/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Recently I compared three new mozart violine sonata recordings (Hhilary Hahn, Anne Sophie Mutter, Rachel Podger). I also compared these recording to my favorite Grumiaux's.

Until recently, I was not a great fan of ASM or Hilary Hahn. I was rather a enthusiastic fan of Podger and Manze (I have all of Manze's and most of Podger's).

But I have to confess that Mozart by authentic appoach and fresh young Hahn's approach did not move my heart at all.

Mutter's Mozart stirred and moved my heart so intensely that I could'nt do anything when hearing the music.

Mutter's Mozart may be odd to the listener who is familiar to authentic approach or Grumiax's gracious but too velvety approach. But her Mozart has enormous emotional power. Her playing sounds like opera aria containing various emotions and various stories. She sometimes whispers, sometimes sobs and sometimes crys (esp. No. 304 although I prefer Mutter's Berlin Recital recording)

I strongly recommend this recording. It's not a background music like many recent recordings. It's a real music that can heal our souls."

Great Daily Listening: Much Better than the Concert Perform

Professor Donald Mitchell | Thanks for Providing My Reviews over 97,000 Helpfu | 01/26/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When Anne-Sophie Mutter and Lambert Orkis were in Boston last fall, I attended the concert that featured some of Mozart's violin sonatas from these recordings. While I enjoyed the immediacy of the live performance, I felt that Ms. Mutter tended to overwhelm Mr. Orkis both in volume and style. That was a shame because the piano parts in Mozart's violin sonatas are always at least as important as the violin parts. Having been a little disappointed, I was, however, wowed during the encores when suddenly a balance appeared. Ms. Mutter was quieter and more restrained and Mr. Orkis seemed less constrained. It was magical.



Thus encouraged, I bought a copy of this CD set, and both performers graciously autographed it.



On arriving home and turning the music on, I was stunned! This was much better music than I had just heard, even during the encores.



I don't recall ever enjoying a recording more than a live concert of the same music by the same performers, but there's no comparison in this case. Both Ms. Mutter and Mr. Orkis soar enthusiastically . . . while also retreating tactfully and touchingly where that's appropriate. The balance between the two performers is almost perfect.



Some people criticize Ms. Mutter for putting too much passion and personal style into classical works. In this case, there's a bit of restraint in delivering that passion and style that takes Mozart from being a composer from a prior century and transforms his music into a rewarding emotional presence now. The exuberance of his genius seems to flow from both performers as they provide a modern (but not too modern) interpretation of this exceptional music.



I find myself listening with new understanding to these sonatas virtually every day.



For Anne Sophie-Mutter fans, there's no doubt that this is one of her top five recordings. If you don't own it, you've missed a treat."

Mozart played by Mutter a must!

L. Halverson | New York | 01/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This set of CD's is a must buy for anybody who is a fan of Mozart's music and/or a fan of Anne-Sophie Mutter's playing. The greatest moments of these sonatas by Mozart happen in the slow movements where Mozart is at his most profound. Ms. Mutter and her pianist Lambert Orkis take these movements to heart, providing performances which are stunning to say the least. In Mozart's music not a note is out of place, and in these performances every note is handled with great care.



Anne-Sophie Mutter burst on to world stage performing Mozart's music. She is known for her interpretations of his music. Ms. Mutter adds considerably to that reputation with this set of recordings. Mozart's music is beautiful and Ms. Mutter's playing is beautiful. You cannot go wrong with this set of CD's!







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