Mozart: Symphony No40; Symphony No41

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Nikolaus Harnoncourt's Mozart is controversial. Some listeners find it thrillingly unconventional--others find it just plain strange. He recorded all of these works once before, with the Concertgebouw Orchestra, and those version really were weird. Here, he seems to have moderated his impulses to take fast movements very, very fast, and slow ones very, very slow, and the result, while certainly not conventional, is an interesting alternative to the usual routine. And at a twofer price, these performances are a good deal too. --David Hurwitz

Tracks:

Symphony No.40 In G Minor, K550: I. Molto allegro
Symphony No.40 In G Minor, K550: II. Andante
Symphony No.40 In G Minor, K550: III. Menuetto: Allegretto
Symphony No.40 In G Minor, K550: IV. Allegro assai
Symphony No. 41 In C Major, K551 'Jupiter': I. Allegro vivace
Symphony No. 41 In C Major, K551 'Jupiter': II. Andante cantabile
Symphony No. 41 In C Major, K551 'Jupiter': III. Menuetto: Allegretto
Symphony No. 41 In C Major, K551 'Jupiter': IV. Molto allegro

Customer Reviews:

"Classic Sound" = Classic Giulini & Mozart.......2003-12-25

This CD of Mozart's 40th and 41st Symphonies performed by Carlo Maria Giulini and the New Philharmonia Orchestra is part of Decca/London's "The Classic Sound" series, the predecessor to the "Decca Legends" line. Many of the original "Classic Sound" CDs have been reissued as "Legends" titles, but since this one has not, I expect it will go out of print shortly. Interested parties should act fast, because this is a terrific disc. While his fellow musicians (and connoisseurs) adored him, Giulini was never quite as popular with the public, which is a shame because he was truly one of the great conductors of the last century. (In fact, see my review of his volume in the "Great Conductors of the 20th Century" series.) Giulini's 1965 accounts of Mozart's last two Symphonies are magical, well paced and insightful, and are certainly preferable to his painfully slow early-80s renditions for Sony. Buy this disc while you can.

Average customer rating:

Mozart: Symphony No40; Symphony No41

Manufacturer: Arkadia: the 78's
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000I5CO
Release Date: 1999-02-15

Average customer rating:

I must disagree

Mozart: Symphony No40; Symphony No41

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Mozart: Die Zauberflöte [The Magic Flute]
Mozart: Requiem
Mozart: Piano Sonatas
Bach: Brandenburg Concertos No. 5 & 6/Orchestral Suite No. 1; Neville Marriner; Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Bach: Brandenburg Concertos No. 1-4; Neville Marriner; Academy of St. Martin in the Fields

ASIN: B00000IOME
Release Date: 1999-04-20

Tracks:

Symphony No.40 In G Minor: I Molto Allegro
Symphony No.40 In G Minor: II Andante
Symphony No.40 In G Minor: III Menuetto & Trio
Symphony No.40 In G Minor: IV Finale
Symphony No.41 In C: I Allegro vivace
Symphony No.41 In C: II Andante cantabile
Symphony No.41 In C: III Menuetto
Symphony No.41 In C: IV Finale

Customer Reviews:

I must disagree.......2002-07-11

I can't think of a larger tragedy in the world of classical music than Marriner's control of the Academy of St.-Martin-in-the-Fields. SMitF is one of the finer orchestras around, and yet Marriner is one of the most uninspired and flat conductors to reach his level of popularity. Mozart's 40th comes off as a souless, but technically mostly correct rendition, and the 41st (Jupier) makes this masterpiece sound far less than masterful--in places, dissonant. The best Mozart I've yet to hear is under the baton of Mackerras--do your self a favor and persue his recordings; leave Marriner on the shelf.

Average customer rating:

It's all in the details

Mozart: Symphony No40; Symphony No41

Manufacturer: Dutton Laboratories
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Symphony No. 39 in E flat major K543: Adagio; Allegro
Symphony No. 39 in E flat major K543: Andante con moto
Symphony No. 39 in E flat major K543: Menuetto and Trio
Symphony No. 39 in E flat major K543: Allegro
Symphony No. 40 in G minor K550: Molto allegro
Symphony No. 40 in G minor K550: Andante
Symphony No. 40 in G minor K550: Menuetto & Trio
Symphony No. 40 in G minor K550: Allegro assai
Symphony No. 41 in C major K55I 'Jupiter': Allegro vivace
Symphony No. 41 in C major K55I 'Jupiter': Andante cantabile
Symphony No. 41 in C major K55I 'Jupiter': Menuetto & Trio
Symphony No. 41 in C major K55I 'Jupiter': Molto allegro

Customer Reviews:

It's all in the details.......2004-08-06

Beecham's Mozart is like a good friend---frequently affable and reliable. Its stylistic charm and urbanity radiate abundantly. Compared with others, its nuances and touches not only seem to bring out more of Mozart's music, but also do so in a more inviting way. While I might prefer an opening to Mozart's 39th Symphony with slightly more power and grandeur, once the introduction has been made, the music seems to take on very nicely that characteristic Beecham persona. In the second movement, as he often does with this composer, Beecham displays what I call a "home sweet home" quality---just a nice, welcome, comfortable mellifluous feel. I also find him one of Mozart's most rhythmically satisfying performers as exemplified by his playing in this as well as Symphonies 40 and 41. (Incidentally, the ad title for this cd indicates only these two latter symphonies, however, No. 39 IS part of this package too.) While I also sometimes enjoy the tautness and superb orchestral execution that George Szell and his Clevelanders demonstrate, and the richly satisfying style of Bohm/Berlin, I tend to see/hear Beecham as being among the most engaging representatives of Mozart. (Of course, there's also Peter Maag.) Dutton has done an excellent job as well with this disc, which was remastered from the original Columbia 78 pressings. It is currently out of print, (like a number of other great cds). By the way, Dutton labels this cd "essential archive". Most appropos if you want your Mozart with personality and panache. If interested, keep your peepers open for Amazon vendors offering this disc for sale---like right now as of the posting of this review !

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