Search - Mozart, Harnoncourt, Cgb :: Symphonies 29-31

Mozart In The Hands Of Harnoncourt

Erik North | San Gabriel, CA USA | 03/22/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Nikolaus Harnoncourt's experience in the period-instrument field has made him somewhat of a controversial figure when he comes to conduct the modern orchestra in the Classical-era repertoire of Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert. More than a few have accused him of resorting to very eccentric tempos. Some of that even shows up on this otherwise solid recording of Mozart's 29th, 30th, and 31st symphonies that the conductor made in the late 1980s with the world-renowned Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam.



The 29th Symphony is generally given a fairly straightforward run-through, very much in the manner of another recording I have of this work by Lucinda Carver and the Los Angeles Mozart Orchestra. Harnoncourt's tempos don't swing too extreme here; nor do they in the monumental and grandiose "Paris" Symphony (No. 31). But as would be the case with his later interpretation of Schubert's Symphony No. 2, in doing Mozart's 30th, Harnoncourt's tempos are somewhat rushed, as if he and the orchestra are rushing off to a fire sale. Even more, there are timpani in the outer movements and the Minuet portion of this work on this recording, where the timpani are totally absent from other recordings (e.g. Sir Charles Mackerras' Prague Chamber Orchestra recording on Telarc). Unless Harnoncourt has done some research that other Mozartean experts (like Mackerras) haven't done, there aren't supposed to be any timpani in the 30th Symphony (though trumpets ARE supposed to be there).



Apart from this (seemingly major but really minor) quibble, this is still a good recording, because these symphonies, which come basically in the middle-to-late part of the Mozart canon, aren't played quite as regularly as the mature ones (35-41). Harnoncourt's tempos and (possible) instrumental additions will undoubtedly continue to draw debate, but Mozart's genius will undoubtedly remain without question."

Refulgent, eloquent and masterful performances!

Hiram Gomez Pardo | Valencia, Venezuela | 03/14/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mozart `s Symphony in A major K. 201- the second in this key that he wrote in Salzburg, marks possibly the sublime initiation of the great Symphonic cycle of Wolfgang. And as well as the sublime Ninth Piano Concert constitutes a sort of breakthrough with the previous influences and the true edification of what we should might denominate the Mozart `s style. There was just another magnificent live performance of Sandor Vegh in Caracas 1992 with the Salzburg Academic Orchestra that still vibrates in my musical memory; loaded with special brightness and diamantine opulence.



Harnoncourt `s towering inspiration at those ages and the presence of the radiant and opulent sound of this prodigious Orchestra conform a must-have CD not only because we are commemorating Mozart 's anniversary but besides, you won't find quite easily such vibrant and mercurial conduction.



The only version of the 29th I remind which contends in sumptuousness and solemn phrasing is an old version with Erich Kleiber and the Concertgebouw that has not been released yet in CD. format.



"Paris" Symphony is simply fabulous, expansive and mercurial."