Mozart: Piano Concertos nos. 271, 453, and 466 / Davies, Jarrett

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
For many, Keith Jarrett is still best known for his jazz forays: extended yet gorgeous improvisations at the keyboard that literally hypnotize listeners (and helped fund ECM, still the artist's label of choice). So, it would be easy to expect Jarrett to deliver a seat-of-your-pants, highly improvised interpretation of these three Mozart piano concertos. You'd be wrong, however. Jarrett's performance on these works is deft and delicate. Meanwhile, Dennis Russell Davies and the Stuttgarter Kammerorchester can be heard loud and clear (and in fine form, it should be noted), never overpowered by the pianist; instead, a perfect balance is struck between orchestra and soloist. More than anything, what surfaces from this double-CD is Mozart's great music: the finale of No. 17 is delightful; throughout the D-minor concerto, we hear the role of the woodwinds in astounding detail. The added bonus of Mozart's solemn Adagio and Fugue in C Minor makes for a gorgeous, though slightly restrained, finale. Yes, Jarrett is the star here, but the real kudos go out to ECM, for capturing such a well-balanced, beautiful recording of these works. --Jason Verlinde

Tracks:

Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 20 In D Minor K.466: Allegro
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 20 In D Minor K.466: Romance
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 20 In D Minor K.466: Allegro assai
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 17 In G Major K.453: Allegro
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 17 In G Major K.453: Andante
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 17 In G Major K.453: Alegretto - Finale: Presto

Tracks:

Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 9 In E-flat Major K.271: Allegro
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 9 In E-flat Major K.271: Andantino
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 9 In E-flat Major K.271: Rondeau: Presto
Adagio And Fugue In C Minor K.546 For String Orchestra

Amazon.com

For many, Keith Jarrett is still best known for his jazz forays: extended yet gorgeous improvisations at the keyboard that literally hypnotize listeners (and helped fund ECM, still the artist's label of choice). So, it would be easy to expect Jarrett to deliver a seat-of-your-pants, highly improvised interpretation of these three Mozart piano concertos. You'd be wrong, however. Jarrett's performance on these works is deft and delicate. Meanwhile, Dennis Russell Davies and the Stuttgarter Kammerorchester can be heard loud and clear (and in fine form, it should be noted), never overpowered by the pianist; instead, a perfect balance is struck between orchestra and soloist. More than anything, what surfaces from this double-CD is Mozart's great music: the finale of No. 17 is delightful; throughout the D-minor concerto, we hear the role of the woodwinds in astounding detail. The added bonus of Mozart's solemn Adagio and Fugue in C Minor makes for a gorgeous, though slightly restrained, finale. Yes, Jarrett is the star here, but the real kudos go out to ECM, for capturing such a well-balanced, beautiful recording of these works. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

Amazing, as always.......2004-07-24

Keith Jarrett is a tremendously impressive artist. He switches gears between jazz and classical, between solo and orchestral work, in a seemingly effortless manner. One would never assume that the pianist on this recording is a renowned jazzman, but so he is. This recording features some of my favorite Mozart concertos and it will NOT disappoint.

FANTASTIC!.......2002-06-29

I have finally found the Mozart piano concerto recordings I have been looking for. After trying out some of the most popular and best reviewed interpretations (Brendel, Uchida, etc.), I decided to take a chance on this one. What a pleasant surprise! Perfectly played by the soloist and orchestra, brilliantly recorded as well. Some of the older versions of Mozart's concertos are still my favorites (Casadesus, Serkin), but if you are looking for the best versions in modern sound, you can't go wrong with Keith Jarrett. He also recorded a previous cd, with concertos #21, 23 and 27. Although you can't find it in the U.S., it is available through mail order from Europe. I highly recommend that one as well. For those of you on a tight budget, Jeno Jando made an excellent recording of all the piano concertos in the late 80's on Naxos. At a budget price, it is a good introduction for those who haven't experience the joys of listening to W. A. Mozart.

Breathtaking.......2000-11-08

This recording is positively sublime. I believe W.A. Mozart would have been proud to hear Keith Jarrett play his compositions.The first time I heard it I almost wept. Truly brilliant! Highly, highly recommended.A feast for the ears.

Cool, clean Mozart.......2000-02-16

Jarrett's first Mozart album got me started in Mozart Piano Concerti. His clean, straight-forward style is refreshing and lets me go right to the music seemingly without interpretation. And yet, underneath I feel the intense drive of his solo albums, all that passion contained and focused.

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