Mozart: Piano Quartets / Ax, Laredo, Ma, Stern

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
This is a wonderful recording of two indispensable masterpieces. By adding the viola, which he loved to play, to the popular piano trio, Mozart became "the father of the piano quartet" with these very different works, the first somber and dramatic, though it ends with a sprightly finale, the second lyrical and serene. Mozart treats all the instruments as equals, but primarily alternates piano and strings, bringing them together in climactic moments. This means that the musicians must inwardly participate in the music-making during long rests to create continuity and seamless give-and-take, a subtle problem these performers solve admirably. These four superb soloists have a rapport so strong that thoughts and feelings seem to flow between them in an unbroken current. Their playing is technically impeccable; their phrasing and style are unanimous, elegant, and flexible; their tone, though each player has a different one, is beautiful and expressive; the piano sings ravishingly; Ax adds discreet, improvisatory embellishments, especially in repeats. They bring out all of Mozart's mercurial moods, the light and shadow, repose and passion, joy and sorrow. --Edith Eisler

Tracks:

I. Allegro - Jaime Laredo
II. Larghetto - Jaime Laredo
III. Allegretto - Jaime Laredo
I. Allegro - Jaime Laredo
II. Andante - Jaime Laredo
III. Rondo - Jaime Laredo
I. Andante - Richard Stoltzman
II. Menuetto - Trio - Richard Stoltzman
III. Rondeauz. Allegretto - Richard Stoltzman

Customer Reviews:

Masterful Mozart.......2006-01-27

These two "Piano Quartets" are Mozart at his most magnificent. The team of Ma, Ax, Stern and Laredo, who also brought us classic chamber recordings by Beethoven, Brahms, Faure, and most recently Dvorak, here tackle Mozart with glowing results. I have to say that while I'm a huge fan of Yo-Yo Ma and Isaac Stern, I can be luke warm about Emanuel Ax . While I don't dispute his virtuosity, I sometimes have found his playing style cold and uninspiring. Oh, but not here! This quartet's playing is wonderfully telepathic, and they make the music jump off the page. There's even a little improvising going on, and while it may not be of the same volume and nature as John Coltrane and Miles Davis, it is of similar quality. This Mozart "Piano Quartets" is an essential purchase for serious fans, and a great introduction for newcomers. Happy 250th Wolfie!

Mozart: Piano Quartets / Ax, Laredo, Ma, Stern

Average customer rating:

Bad stock management
MUTUALLY MUTUAL MOZART
performances axed!
Masterful Mozart

Mozart: Piano Quartets / Ax, Laredo, Ma, Stern

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Schumann: Piano Quartet in Ef Op 47; Beethoven: Quartet in Ef Op 16
Fauré: Piano Quartets
Mozart: The Complete Piano Trios
Mozart: Complete String Trios & Duos
Chopin: 4 Ballades; Scherzos; Mazurkas

ASIN: B000002AY5
Release Date: 1997-02-25

Tracks:

Quartet For Piano, Violin, Viola, And Cello In E Flat Major: I Allegro
Quartet For Piano, Violin, Viola, And Cello In E Flat Major: II Larghetto
Quartet For Piano, Violin, Viola, And Cello In E Flat Major: III Allegretto
Quartet For Piano, Violin, Viola And Cello In G Minor: I Allegro
Quartet For Piano, Violin, Viola And Cello In G Minor: II Andante
Quartet For Piano, Violin, Viola And Cello In G Minor: III Rondo Allegro moderato

Amazon.com essential recording

This is a wonderful recording of two indispensable masterpieces. By adding the viola, which he loved to play, to the popular piano trio, Mozart became "the father of the piano quartet" with these very different works, the first somber and dramatic, though it ends with a sprightly finale, the second lyrical and serene. Mozart treats all the instruments as equals, but primarily alternates piano and strings, bringing them together in climactic moments. This means that the musicians must inwardly participate in the music-making during long rests to create continuity and seamless give-and-take, a subtle problem these performers solve admirably. These four superb soloists have a rapport so strong that thoughts and feelings seem to flow between them in an unbroken current. Their playing is technically impeccable; their phrasing and style are unanimous, elegant, and flexible; their tone, though each player has a different one, is beautiful and expressive; the piano sings ravishingly; Ax adds discreet, improvisatory embellishments, especially in repeats. They bring out all of Mozart's mercurial moods, the light and shadow, repose and passion, joy and sorrow. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

Bad stock management.......2007-06-09

Transaction was disappointing because I was charged for CD and told shipping info, but then a couple of days later I was told that CD was not available. Money was creditited back immediately and apologies made but it was still a disappointing first use of the new facility.

MUTUALLY MUTUAL MOZART.......2005-08-11

With a consistency of interpretation and authenticity that beggars criticism, Mozart's undeniably glowing piano quartets spring warmly to life in the fraternal hands of Ax, Stern, Laredo and Ma. There is no streamlining here; the performances retain an endearing rough and ready quality so contagious, so fresh, so vital that the rare musical melding allows the listener immediate emotional entree. Tempi are insightfully and affectionately judged, the balance between slow and fast movements, perfectly contrasted. Ax, true to the composer, gives the piano a voice amongst the strings, acting very much the representative compass. Stern is particularly lyrical here, and Laredo liberates the second violin with a melodious sensitivity; Ma's cello adds an outstanding autumnal stability to the whole. The recording is exceptionally realistic and present, with each instrument beautifully engaged. This is self-recommending, glorious "hausmusik" intimately, yet spontaneously re-defined by a stellar ensemble.

[Running time: 55:37]

performances axed!.......2002-06-27

Superb performances nearly undone by Ax's swinish insensitivity in the slow movements. Oh he's fine enough when the going's going -- when things are bouncing along nicely. But when the music calls for the utmost in slow heart-easing palpation of the melos (the beginning of K 478's middle movement, for example), forget it! He refuses to phrase or pace with any deep understanding of this very deep music.

Rubinstein does much better with the Guarneri, and Ax makes one wish Adolf Busch, Karl Doktor, Hermann Busch and Rudolf Serkin had recorded the works back in the thirties.

Otherwise not a bad disc.

Masterful Mozart.......2000-09-26

These two "Piano Quartets" are Mozart at his most magnificent. The team of Ma, Ax, Stern and Laredo, who also brought us classic chamber recordings by Beethoven, Brahms, Faure, and most recently Dvorak, here tackle Mozart with glowing results. I have to say that while I'm a huge fan of Yo-Yo Ma and Isaac Stern, I can be luke warm about Emanuel Ax . While I don't dispute his virtuosity, I sometimes have found his playing style cold and uninspiring. Oh, but not here! This quartet's playing is wonderfully telepathic, and they make the music jump off the page. There's even a little improvising going on, and while it may not be of the same volume and nature as the Classic Coltrane Quartet, it is of similar quality. This Mozart "Piano Quartets" is an essential purchase for serious fans, and a great introduction for newcomers.