Search - Vera Beths, Jürgen Kussmaul :: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Grande Sestetto Concertante (after Sinfonia Concertante in E-flat Major, K.364) / Duos for Violin & Viola, K.423 & K.424 - L'Archibudelli

Anonymous adaptation of K.364 is fantastic!

Sam Ostroff | Exeter, NH USA | 04/01/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I bought this, I didn't realize that the Symphonie Concertante on this CD was not the original version but an anonymous adaptation arranged in 1807. The composer/transcriber is unknown but they have done a marvelous job. The adaptation calls for two each of violins, violas and violoncellos. Interestingly, the transcription from a full orchestra and a solo violin and viola to a string sextet was done taking into account the loss of orchestral color, since the six stringed instruments would sound (when compared to a full orchestra) monochromatic. The solo parts are now shared by five of the six instruments, and the result is a composition unto itself. My expectations of the Bylsma led L'Archibudelli were high, and I was not let down at all, to say the very least. This is a jewel of a recording and I cannot recommend it highly enough."