Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik; Posthorn Serenade

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The Prague Chamber Orchestra contributes some very good string playing to this Mozart reading by Sir Charles Mackerras. The approach is modern but well informed, with clean, light, agile, and luminous results. Mackerras observes the repeats (including that of the first movement recapitulation) and chooses excellent tempos. The Romance is especially lovely. Telarc's recording yields a fairly realistic concert-hall perspective, but the distant pickup and reverberation tend to muddy the texture a little. The coupling is an excellent account of the Posthorn Serenade. --Ted Libbey

Tracks:

Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, K.525: Rondo - The Cambridge Buskers
Vn Con No.2, K.211: Allegro Moderato - Capella Isopolitana
Sinf, K.297b: Vars - Capella Isopolitana
Sym No.17, K.129: Andante - Northern Chamber Orchestra
Sym No.24, K.182: Andantino - Northern Chamber Orchestra
5 Vars on Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, K.265 - Jeno Jando
Vn Con No.5, K.219: Allegro Aperto - Capella Isopolitana

Tracks:

The Marriage Of Figaro: Voi Che Sapete - The Cambridge Buskers
Cassation, K.63: Andante - Salzburg Chamber Orchestra
Sym No.6, K.43: Andante - Northern Chamber Orchestra
Sym No.18, K.130: Andantino Grazioso - Northern Chamber Orchestra
Ser No.10, K.361: Adagio, Gran Partita - Amamdeus Wind Orchestra
Ser No.9, K.320: Concertante - Capella Isopolitana
Bn Con, K.191: Andante Ma Adagio - VIENNA MOZART ACADEMY
Divert, K.287: Adagio - Capella Isopolitana

Tracks:

Don Giovanni: Champagne Aria - The Cambridge Buskers
Rondo Alla Turca - The Cambridge Buskers
'Die Leyerer', K.611 - Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
'La Bataille', K.535 - Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
March No.1, K.335 - Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Divert in B Flat, K.15gg: Cotillion, Allegro - Academy Of St. Martin-In-The-Fields
The Magic Flute, K.620: Papageno's Song - The Cambridge Buskers
Sym No.40, K.550: First Movt - The Cambridge Buskers
German Dance No.4, K.602 - Capella Isopolitana
German Dance No.2, K.605 - Capella Isopolitana C
Ser in D, K.250: Menuetto - Capella Isopolitana
Ser, K.205: Menuetto, Divert - Capella Isopolitana
Divert in B Flat, K.287: Menuetto - Capella Isopolitana
Ser, K.203: Prestissimo - Salzburg Chamber Orchestra

Product Description

Studies prove that the music of Mozart has a powerful effect on the intellectual and creative development of children. Don Campbell, musician, teacher and author of the new book The Mozart Effect for Children and The Mozart Effect, has selected some of the best of Mozart's music to stimulate and inspire young minds. Based on up-to-date medical and psychological research in creativity and intelligence, the pieces on each recording have been carefully chosen by the author so that tempos, key signatures and textures of the music change with each selection in order to provide a rich listening and learning experience for children of all ages.

Amazon.com

Two hundred years after Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's death, French physician Dr. Tomatis discovered a relationship between listening and learning. Remarkably, he found that children develop their listening ability in the womb. According to medical studies, we now know that the music of Mozart in particular has a profound effect on the human mind, body, and spirit. Working in accordance with this philosophy, internationally known teacher and musician Don Campbell wrote The Mozart Effect, a seminal book correlating music with health, well-being, and increased intelligence. Campbell's musical collection of the same name presents compositions carefully chosen for the benefit of children. Volume 1, "Tune Up Your Mind," is formulated to gently stimulate young minds. Volume 2, "Relax, Daydream, and Draw," includes excerpts from Symphony Nos. 6 and 18, and volume 3, "Mozart in Motion," a delightfully playful disc, includes an excerpt from The Magic Flute. --Paige La Grone

Customer Reviews:

Great CD's for children........2007-05-23

These CD's are very uplifting and will leave you in a great mood. These are wonderful for children to listen to on a daily basis.

Eh..........2007-01-10

It's okay. For the classroom, there is one CD that's good background music for working at desks and one that's good for dancing. But I'd rather listen to "real" classical music with kids.

We Love These!!!.......2006-02-11

Our whole famiy loves these CDs! They are very relaxing to listen to while playing games, drawing, or building! I'm no music expert, but I thought the sound quality was good. We listen to them almost everyday! In fact, our kids request 'Mozart music' when playing and it does seem to help keep them focused on one thing for quite some time. :)

Bringforth the artist within by listening to Mozart.......2005-10-07

Some scholars claimed that the Author of "The Mozart Effect", Don Campbell, overemphasized his theory. I bought his 2 books, and this set of CD to find out whether his findings are legitimate.
The more I listen to Mozart, according to his arrangement, the more I'm convinced. The Mozart Effect: Music for Children, Volume 1-3 is an excellent prescription for the young and older mind, alike.

Absolute nonsense.......2005-03-06

I have not heard this CD but the idea that listening to Classical music in the womb has been disproven by legitimate scientists for a long time. A simple search found the following...

"The Mozart Effect is an example of how science and the media mix in our world. A suggestion in a few paragraphs in a scientific journal becomes a universal truth in a matter of months, eventually believed even by the scientists who initially recognized how their work had been distorted and exaggerated by the media. Others, smelling the money, jump on the bandwagon and play to the crowd, adding their own myths, questionable claims, and distortions to the mix."

"The idea for the Mozart Effect originated in 1993 at the University of California, Irvine, with physicist Gordon Shaw and Frances Rauscher, a former concert cellist and an expert on cognitive development. They studied the effects on a few dozen college students of listening to the first 10 minutes of the Mozart Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major (K.448). They found a temporary enhancement of spatial-temporal reasoning, as measured by the Stanford-Binet IQ test. No one else has been able to duplicate their results. One researcher commented that the "very best thing that could be said of their [Shaw's and Rauscher's] experiment-were it completely uncontested-would be that listening to bad Mozart enhances short-term IQ" (Linton). Rauscher has moved on to study the effects of Mozart on rats. Both Shaw and Rauscher have speculated that exposure to Mozart enhances spatial-reasoning and memory in humans. "

Note that the only scientific tests were performed on college students.

Tracks:

Serenade In D, KV 239 'Serenata Notturna': Marcia. Maestoso
Serenade In D, KV 239 'Serenata Notturna': Menuetto
Serenade In D, KV 239 'Serenata Notturna': Rondeau. Allegretto-Adagio-Allegro
March In D, KV 249
Serenade In D, KV 250 'Haffner': Allegro Maestoso - Allegro Molto
Serenade In D, KV 250 'Haffner': Andante
Serenade In D, KV 250 'Haffner': Menuetto
Serenade In D, KV 250 'Haffner': Rondeau. Allegro
Serenade In D, KV 250 'Haffner': Menuetto Galante
Serenade In D, KV 250 'Haffner': Andante
Serenade In D, KV 250 'Haffner': Menuetto
Serenade In D, KV 250 'Haffner': Adagio-Allegro Assai

Tracks:

Serenade In G, KV 525 'Ein Kleine Nachtmusik': Allegro
Serenade In G, KV 525 'Ein Kleine Nachtmusik': Romance. Andante
Serenade In G, KV 525 'Ein Kleine Nachtmusik': Menuetto. Allegretto
Serenade In G, KV 525 'Ein Kleine Nachtmusik': Rondo. Allegro
March In D, KV 335 No. 1
Serenade In D, KV 320 'Posthorn': Adagio Maestoso - Allegro Con Spirito
Serenade In D, KV 320 'Posthorn': Menuetto. Allegretto
Serenade In D, KV 320 'Posthorn': Concertante. Andante grazioso
Serenade In D, KV 320 'Posthorn': Rondeau. Allegro ma non troppo
Serenade In D, KV 320 'Posthorn': Andantino
Serenade In D, KV 320 'Posthorn': Menuetto
Serenade In D, KV 320 'Posthorn': Finale. Presto
March In D, KV 335 No. 2

Customer Reviews:

A superb collection of Mozart's finest.......2005-04-14

Serenades as these were commissioned by patrons for some nice background music for significant outdoor events (weddings, public celebrations). But, Mozart being Mozart, he went beyond the call in poured out fantastic displays of musical diversity and melodies in this music that went far beyond mere "wallpaper compositions." The four most popular of his serenades are suberbly recorded on these two discs. Each is a galante work of art - full of vivacity, celebration, youthful enthusiasm and skillful composition for a then young Mozart. They are some of the most upbeat and happy music Mozart wrote and showcase his talents at his galante finest. While any individual serenade might be slightly better performed by another ensemble, it is unlikely one will find a better complete set than these. The recorded sound is top notch and the vibrant performaces by the ASMF completely fitting to the type of celebratory music. Conductor Sir Neville Marriner is well-known for his affinity for Mozart and these recordings show that by their well-chosen tempos, tasteful accuntuations and smooth, lyrical flow throughout. A wonderful survey of Mozart's serenades most fitting for a sunny afternoon at home or festive occasion.

Excellent performances with great sound quality.......2003-09-30

Although analog recordings from the mid-80's, these have been digitally remastered and offer bright crisp sound along with a well-defined "stage presence" as if the orchestra were right there in your room. Marriner conducts the ASMF and their modern instruments with grace and elegance, letting the music carry you away. I have no idea what the "In The Fields" part of Academy Of St Martin's name means, but in fact if you close your eyes and use your imagination just a wee bit, you'll find yourself sitting among beautiful fields listening to this sublime music!
If you prefer period instruments, Manze and the English Concert have just released "Night Music" on the Harmonia Mundi label, which features excellent digital recordings of two of Mozart's serenades: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and Seranata Notturna, as well as other Mozart compositions that Manze felt fit within the theme of night music.

Mozart of character and distinction.......2001-11-06

These are very fine performances by one of the leading conductors and ensembles of our time. Ensemble is crisp, phrasing is lovely, and the tempos are superbly judged. The recording is good, too, set in a glowing acoustic. At two discs for the price of one this simply can't be beat.

Beautiful and understated.......2001-03-06

A great introduction to several of Mozart's great masterpieces including the beloved Eine Kleine Nachtmusik as well as the Posthorn and other great serenades, all played with grace, meticulousness, and understatement by Sir Neville and the Academy. This great orchestra never goes over the top,and lets the music speak for itself. There may be more dramatic versions by larger orchestras, but these get to the essence of the music and let it speak, quitely and beautifully, for itself.

First rate recordings.......2000-12-16

Marriner, a great Mozart conductor, leads the AMSF in these masterpieces. All of the recordings are wonderful with well-judged tempos. The string section of the orchestra distinguish themselves. Philips has warm sound and good liner notes. The Serenata Notturna and Posthorn serenades were love at first hearing for me, and these recordings are the perfect place to look. I don't like all of the Haffner serenade, but some of the movements are gorgeous. For the ambitious collectors, Marriner's earlier Eine Kleine Nachtmusik on EMI is even better than this one.

Average customer rating:

Coffee ... or Mozart to start your day?
Music I LOVE Waking Up To
This is perhaps the most enjoyable recording of Mozart
A great intro to the music of Mozart

Mozart in the Morning

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Mozart for Morning Coffee: Freshly Brewed to Perk Up Your Day
Bach for Breakfast
Mozart for Your Mind
Mozart at Midnight
More Mozart For Your Mind

ASIN: B00000415Q
Release Date: 1992-09-15

Tracks:

'The Marriage Of Figaro': Overture
'Eine kleine Nachtmusik': 4, Rondo (Allegro)
A Lively Wake-Up Call From Wolfgang Mozart: 4, Presto
A Lively Wake-Up Call From Wolfgang Mozart: 3, Rondo Alegro vivace
A Lively Wake-Up Call From Wolfgang Mozart: 1, Allegro
A Lively Wake-Up Call From Wolfgang Mozart: Notte e giorno faticar
A Lively Wake-Up Call From Wolfgang Mozart: Madamina, il catalogo e questo (Part 1)
A Lively Wake-Up Call From Wolfgang Mozart: Fin Ch'han dal vino (Champagne Aria)
A Lively Wake-Up Call From Wolfgang Mozart: 3, Rondo (Tempo di menuetto)
A Lively Wake-Up Call From Wolfgang Mozart: 1, Allegro
A Lively Wake-Up Call From Wolfgang Mozart: German Dance (Sleighride)
A Lively Wake-Up Call From Wolfgang Mozart: 3. Rondo alla Turca
A Lively Wake-Up Call From Wolfgang Mozart: 3. Allegro
A Lively Wake-Up Call From Wolfgang Mozart: 2. Allegro molto
A Lively Wake-Up Call From Wolfgang Mozart: 5, Menuetto
A Lively Wake-Up Call From Wolfgang Mozart: 3. Presto
A Lively Wake-Up Call From Wolfgang Mozart: 6, Menuetto (with Postham)
A Lively Wake-Up Call From Wolfgang Mozart: 7. Finale (Molto allegro)
A Musical Joke: 4, Presto

Customer Reviews:

Coffee ... or Mozart to start your day?.......2005-12-03

If you are the type who is interested in classical music but doesn't quite know where to start - or are intimidated by all the choices or confusing musical terminology - then the Philips "Set Your Life to Music" series is ideal. These 20-or-so collections select some of Classical Music's finest and most lyrical music that are easily enjoyed by most anyone. While such compilation CD's and the cute cover art can be rather irritating to a few veteran classical music fans (claiming somehow it "dumbs down" classical music), the average person newer to classical music should care less about such attitudes and likely find this collection most enjoyable and inspiring to learn more about classical music.

This Mozart collection is a quality introduction to Mozart - and one of the better ones in the series. Where other Mozart CD's in the series assemble quieter, slower music, this compliation is energetic and fast-paced. Among all classical music, Mozart (and most of the music of the earlier Baroque-era like Bach) is the "easiest on the ear" with its always pleasant, melody-rich tones. And these fine and varied selections on this disc present Mozart at his most festive, creative and full of life. What you will not hear in such music of Mozart are the often-disturbing tones or jarring sounds of later composers. This is partly what makes such collections more 'easily accessible' to the newer listener.

The variety here is excellent: brilliant opera overtures (but no singing), energetic symphonies and concertos, sprightly serenades (festive outdoor party music), cheerful divertimentos (pleasant background music for dinners and galas) and charming piano sonatas (solo piano music). So, such variety also serves as an introduction to the various types of music Mozart wrote - so you can see what you like most and perhaps pursue additional music in that category. Both the sound quality and performers are top-notch to make this Mozart collection a high-quality, lively, and naturally-energizing experience ideally suited to the earlier hours of the day or afternoon. With such invigorating music, you might skip the coffee. Overall, a fine introduction to Mozart and one of the better CD's in this Philip's series.

Music I LOVE Waking Up To.......1999-09-25

This CD is the perfect upbeat collection of Mozart. Anyone that loved the movie, will love this CD. It truly showcases his genius and will keep you moving all morning long.

This is perhaps the most enjoyable recording of Mozart.......1999-06-26

This is probably the most enjoyable recording of Mozart I have heard. The recording quality phillips provides is excellent, and provides a collection of Mozart's most delightful melodies. Great for relaxation or an introduction to classical music.

A great intro to the music of Mozart.......1999-03-16

A great many young people like myself are interested in Classical music, but it can be daunting and confusing, what with all the versions out there! This album was my first classical buy, and it won me over! "Overture to the Marriage of Figaro" explodes, starting it all off with a bang. The album gradually softens, yet stays light and airy like a bubbling glass of champagne until wrapping up with a warm conclusion. listen to me! I sound like i was paid to do this! [ : ) Just give this a shot, especially if you know you like classical but aren't sure what to get!

Average customer rating:

A Genius Serenades the World

Mozart: Serenades for Orchestra

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: String Quintets
Mozart: String Quartets (Complete Mozart Edition, Vol. 12)
Mozart Piano Concertos: Complete Mozart Edition
Mozart: Lieder; Notturni
Complete Beethoven Edition, Vol. 14: Misc. Chamber Works

ASIN: B00000410K
Release Date: 1990-11-10

Tracks:

Galimathias musicum: Molto allegro - Andante - Allegro - Pastorella - Allegro - Allegretto - Allegro
Galimathias musicum: Molto adagio - Allegro - Largo - Allegro - Andante - Allegro - Menuet - Adagio - Presto
Galimathias musicum: Fuga
Divertimento In D: Allegro
Divertimento In D: Adagio
Divertimento In D: Menuetto
Divertimento In D: Allegretto
Divertimento In D: Menuetto
Divertimento In D: Adagio - Allegro molto
Cassation In B Flat Major: Marche
Allegro molto
Andante
Menuet
Andante
Menuet
Allegro - Andante - Allegro - Andante - Marche

Tracks:

March In D Major
Cassation In D: 1. Allegro
Cassation In D: 2. Andante
Cassation In D: 3. Menuetto
Cassation In D: 4. Allegro
Cassation In D: 5. Menuetto
Cassation In D: 6. Andante
Cassation In D: 7. Menuetto
Cassation In D: 8. Allegro
Cassation (Final-Musik) In G: 1. Marcia
Cassation (Final-Musik) In G: 2. Allegro
Cassation (Final-Musik) In G: 3. Andante
Cassation (Final-Musik) In G: 4. Menuetto
Cassation (Final-Musik) In G: 5. Adagio
Cassation (Final-Musik) In G: 6. Menuetto
Cassation (Final-Musik) In G: 7. Finale (Allegro assai)

Tracks:

March In D Major
Serenade In D Major: 1. Allegro assai
Serenade In D Major: 2. Andante moderato
Serenade In D Major: 3. Allegro
Serenade In D Major: 4. Menuetto
Serenade In D Major: 5. Andante
Serenade In D Major: 6. Menuetto
Serenade In D Major: 7. Andantino (grazioso)
Notturno In D Major For Four Orchestras: 1. Andante
Notturno In D Major For Four Orchestras: 2. Allegretto grazioso
Notturno In D Major For Four Orchestras: 3. Menuetto

Tracks:

March In D
Serenade In D: 1. Andante maestoso - Allegro assai
Serenade In D: 2. (Andante)
Serenade In D: 3. Menuetto
Serenade In D: 4. (Allegro)
Serenade In D: 5. Menuetto
Serenade In D: 6. (Andante)
Serenade In D: 7. Menuetto
Serenade In D: 8. Prestissimo
Serenade In D 'Serenata notturna': 1. Marcia (Maestoso)
Serenade In D 'Serenata notturna': 2. Menuetto
Serenade In D 'Serenata notturna': 3. Rondeau (Allegretto - Adagio - Allegro)

Tracks:

Eine kleine Nachtmusik: 1. Allegro
Eine kleine Nachtmusik: 2. Romance (Andante)
Eine kleine Nachtmusik: 3. Menuetto (Allegretto)
Eine kleine Nachtmusik: 4. Rondo (Allegro)
March In D
Serenade (Final-Musik) In D: 1. Allegro assai
Serenade (Final-Musik) In D: 2. Andante
Serenade (Final-Musik) In D: 3. Allegro
Serenade (Final-Musik) In D: 4. Menuetto
Serenade (Final-Musik) In D: 5. Andante grazioso
Serenade (Final-Musik) In D: 6. Menuetto
Serenade (Final-Musik) In D: 7. Adagio - Allegro assai

Tracks:

March In D
Serenade In D 'Haffner': 1. Allegro maestoso - Allegro molto
Serenade In D 'Haffner': 2. Andante
Serenade In D 'Haffner': 3. Menuetto
Serenade In D 'Haffner': 4. Rondo (Allegro)
Serenade In D 'Haffner': 5. Menuetto galante
Serenade In D 'Haffner': 6. Andante
Serenade In D 'Haffner': 7. Menuetto
Serenade In D 'Haffner': 8. Adagio - Allegro assai

Tracks:

March In D No. 1
Serenade In D Major: 1. Adagio maestoso - Allegro con spirito
Serenade In D Major: 2. Minuetto
Serenade In D Major: 3. Concertante (Andante grazioso)
Serenade In D Major: 4. Rondeau (Allegro ma non troppo)
Serenade In D Major: 5. Andantino
Serenade In D Major: 6. Minuetto
Serenade In D Major: 7. Finale (Presto)
March In D No. 2

Customer Reviews:

A Genius Serenades the World.......2000-08-11

Mozart is very well known in the musical world. He is particularily remembered for Eine Kleine Natmusik, a collection of serenades for orchestra (strings). The mystery in "A little Night Music " is that it may never have been performed in Mozart's lifetime. We don't know why he even composed such a light-hearted set of music. We know he did it for an outdoor social event of some kind; the Viennese and elite of Salzburg were very fond of parties. The Eine Kleine Serenades are here, along with many other serenades as done by St. Martins in the Fields, the best interpretors of Mozart's music. Neville Marriner truly captures the Mozart spirit in these serenades. It is in these smaller compositions that we truly see the gift that Mozart was endowed with. He was put on this earth for exactly this reason: to make music the world had never seen. He was called to death in the Requiem. The beauty of these serenades are heard in every passing bar. If you truly enjoy the Mozart sound, you must purchase this great cd. Costly but worth it. After all, Mozart is the greatest composer of all time. He is remarkable. The Romanza and Minuet from Eine Kleine is marvelous. The other serenades are superb and performed to perfection by the Academy of St Martins in the Fields, the same orchestra that was used in the score to the hit movie of the composer- Amadeus. An excellent compact disc.

Mozart on the Menu: A Delightful Little Dinner Music

Average customer rating:

Truly Delightful
A superb collection of Mozart's elegant music
Enjoyable, bright, sunny-morning-at-the-cafe selections

Mozart on the Menu: A Delightful Little Dinner Music

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Mozart for Morning Coffee: Freshly Brewed to Perk Up Your Day
Bach for Breakfast
Mozart for Meditation
Baroque at Bathtime: A Relaxing Serenade to Wash Your Cares Away
Mozart for Your Mind

ASIN: B0000041DQ
Release Date: 1995-08-15

Tracks:

Eine kleine Nachtmusik Menuetto (Allegretto)
Flute Quartet in A Menuetto
Flute Quartet in A Rondeau
Quartet in F - Rondeau
Divertimento No 17 in D - Menuetto
Flute Quartet in D Adagio
Flute Quartet in D Rondeau
Devertimento in D Allegretto
Clarinet Quintet in A Menuetto
Horn Concerto in D allegro
Oboe Concerto in C rondo (allegretto)
Bassoon Concerto in B-flat rondo
Country Dance #1 in C (non piu andrai from the Marriage of Figaro)
String Quintet in E-flat menuetto:aleegretto
Divertimento No. 11 in D andantino
Serenade in D ('Posthorn')

Customer Reviews:

Truly Delightful.......2006-07-17

This is a perfect, relaxing, soothing and cheerful, unobtrusive music CD you can play in the background whether you're dining, working, studying or relaxing with a book.

A superb collection of Mozart's elegant music.......2005-01-26

Philips' "Set your Life to Music" series was designed for the average person who knows little about classical music but is interested to explore and enjoy it. For the average listener, the more soothing and elegant sounds of Mozart or Bach that this series features will be more appealing than the harsher tones and loudness of a Beethoven or modern symphony. This CD is a most lush collection of some of Mozart's finest music he composed for special festivities during the era of Dukes and Princes and Royal Courts (called "divertimenti"). So, the title "A Delightful Little Dinner Music" really is not far from the intent of the music Mozart wrote here - it was designed to be light, elegant and most of all to set a warm mood for the event. All pieces here are of a similar, non-invasive tone and temperament with no dramatic or loud sections that can disrupt special moments. The selections featuring the silky-smooth sounds of the oboe or clarinet are most delightful as Mozart had a special talent for writing for those highly-expressive instruments. Not a harsh note is heard on the entire CD.

But, don't misread the cute, contemporary art cover to mean substandard classical music. The quality of the performances, compilations and recordings are all surprizingly quite good. Even the "serious" classical listener should enjoy the variety of such compilations once in a while as hearing the fifteenth violin sonata in a row can start to become monotonous. Sometimes a little diversity is what is needed and the wonderful selections on this high-quality CD offers this. I have many CD's in this series and find this one my favorite. It is Mozart at his most elegant and wonderfully lyrical. It is music that never demands to be heard but only seeks to delight. Highly recommended.

Enjoyable, bright, sunny-morning-at-the-cafe selections.......1998-11-20

I like this CD so much, I'm buying it again so I can have a second copy for home. I'm a high school science teacher and I wanted an unobtrusive, but not bland, collection of Mozart to play in the background as my students worked. I found that this CD more than satisfied my meager demands by being invigorating without being overpowering, and varied enough so as to not get stale, even when on continuous play. My students have enjoyed it as well, quickly becoming comfortable with what, for most of them, was a new type of music, even asking me to play it if I forget to cue it up before class. I can't comment on the technical virtuosity of the performances, but they are certainly adequate, and the quality of the recording is very good. The music is presented in a menu style, with 'appetizers', 'main course', and 'dessert'. All in all, just the music for times when you need a pleasant, easily palatable, uplift for your day.

Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik; Posthorn Serenade

Average customer rating:

Mediocre Mozart Performances
Very Underrated
Disappointing Sound Quality...Very Distant

Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik; Posthorn Serenade

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Mozart: Haffner Serenade; Serenata Notturna
Mozart: Serenade for 13 Winds "Gran Partita"
Mozart: Symphonies No.25, No.28 & No.29
Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 36 & 38
Mozart: Don Giovanni

ASIN: B000003CTI
Release Date: 2003-07-22

Tracks:

I. Allegro
II. Romance: Andante
III. Menuetto: Allegretto; Trio
IV. Rondo: Allegro
I. Adagio Maestoso - Allegro Con Spirito
II. Menuetto: Allegretto
III. Concertante: Andante Grazioso
IV. Rondeau: Allegro Ma Non Troppo
V. Andantino
VI. Menuetto. Trio I. Trio II
VII. Finale: Presto

Amazon.com

The Prague Chamber Orchestra contributes some very good string playing to this Mozart reading by Sir Charles Mackerras. The approach is modern but well informed, with clean, light, agile, and luminous results. Mackerras observes the repeats (including that of the first movement recapitulation) and chooses excellent tempos. The Romance is especially lovely. Telarc's recording yields a fairly realistic concert-hall perspective, but the distant pickup and reverberation tend to muddy the texture a little. The coupling is an excellent account of the Posthorn Serenade. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Mediocre Mozart Performances.......2006-09-14

This recording of two great serenades of Mozart is unfortunately average at best. The playing, especially in the "Posthorn", is slightly drab. The running sixteenth notes are quite hard to discern, especially when the same note is being repeated for a number of bars. Part of the the problem is the recording sound-- the tone of the orchestra is a bit too blended, bass-heavy, and balanced away from the winds and brass. Another point with which I take issue is that of the style. I find that the amount of vibrato differs greatly between oboe and flute for example, where the oboe is using quite a lot, and the flute barely any. Also, the grace notes seem rushed and barely audible, while they should be quite present, as they are not so common.
In essence, this is an average recording, and one that would seem to be fine to someone who has not heard, for example, Levine and the Vienna Philharmonic (my favorite). I cannot see any reason why one would buy this recording over one of more repute and quality, both from conductor and orchestra (Levine w/VPO, Bohm w/BPO, etc.).

Very Underrated.......2005-05-11

I must politely disagree with the previous reviewer's interpretation of the recording's sound quality, which I found to be very crisp. The distant pickup in my view yields a lovely concert hall atmosphere that is missing on so many other recordings of this piece. I guess it is a matter of personal taste.

What I find most special is Mackerras interpretation of the music, choosing lively tempos for the allegros, and steady andantes that don't drag too slowly. As in Mozart's time, all repeats are observed, giving the famous first movement a length of just over eight minutes (when the music is that good, you don't want it to end). The Posthorn Serenade is also excellent.

I fear that because of the sheer number of Eine Kleine recordings, this superb performance is often overlooked. If you like chamber music with a concert hall sound, this is the recording to purchase.

Disappointing Sound Quality...Very Distant.......2003-09-30

Mozart's serenades have become some of my very favorite classical pieces, so I was especially disappointed with the "distant pickup and reverberation" as the editorial reviewer describes above. Telarc is supposed to have such great sound quality, but not here...it sounds as if the orchestra is a block away.
If your preference is modern instruments (as with Mackerras and the PCO, the two-disc set of four Mozart serenades by Marriner and ASMF has far superior sound, despite the fact that they are analog recordings (digitally remastered) from the mid-80's. Sound quality is bright and crisp with a well-defined "stage presence" as if the orchestra is right there in your room.
If your preference is period instruments, Manze with the English Concert have just released (Sep 03) a new CD "Night Music", a superb digital recording on the Harmonia Mundi label, which features two of his great serenades: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and Seranata Notturna, along with other fine Mozart compositions that Manze considered to fit within the theme of night music.
Both of these are far superior to the poor lackluster sound on this disc by Telarc.

Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik K525; Serenata Notturna K239; Serenade in D K320 "Posthorn"; Serenade in D K100; Serenade in D K250 "Haffner"

Average customer rating:

Ever-green, sparkling performances.

Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik K525; Serenata Notturna K239; Serenade in D K320 "Posthorn"; Serenade in D K100; Serenade in D K250 "Haffner"
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Willi Boskovsky , and Vienna Mozart Ensemble
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Mozart: The Great Piano Concertos, Vol. 1

ASIN: B000004240
Release Date: 1996-01-23

Tracks:

Serenade In G Major, K525 'Eine kleine Nachtmusik': I Allegro
Serenade In G Major, K525 'Eine kleine Nachtmusik': II Romance: Andante
Serenade In G Major, K525 'Eine kleine Nachtmusik': III Menuetto: Allegreto - Trio
Serenade In G Major, K525 'Eine kleine Nachtmusik': IV Rondo: Allegro
Serenade In D Major, K239 'Serenata Notturna': I Marcia: Maestoso
Serenade In D Major, K239 'Serenata Notturna': II Menuetto - Trio
Serenade In D Major, K239 'Serenata Notturna': III Rondeau: Allegretto
Serenade In D Major, K320 'Posthorn': I Adagio maestoso - Allegro con spirito
Serenade In D Major, K320 'Posthorn': II Menuetto: Allegretto - Trio
Serenade In D Major, K320 'Posthorn': III Concertante: Andante grazioso - Wiener Mozart Ensemble
Serenade In D Major, K320 'Posthorn': IV Rondeau: Allegro ma non troppo - Wiener Mozart Ensemble
Serenade In D Major, K320 'Posthorn': V Andantino - Wiener Mozart Ensemble
Serenade In D Major, K320 'Posthorn': VI Menuetto: - Trio I - Trio II - Wiener Mozart Ensemble
Serenade In D Major, K320 'Posthorn': VII Finale: Presto - Wiener Mozart Ensemble

Tracks:

Serenade In D Major, K100 - 62a: I Allegro
Serenade In D Major, K100 - 62a: II Adante
Serenade In D Major, K100 - 62a: III Menuetto - Trio
Serenade In D Major, K100 - 62a: IV Allegro
Serenade In D Major, K100 - 62a: V Menuetto - Trio
Serenade In D Major, K100 - 62a: VI Andante
Serenade In D Major, K100 - 62a: VII Menuetto - Trio
Serenade In D Major, K100 - 62a: VII Allegro
Serenade In D Major, K250 - 248b 'Haffner': I Allegro Maestoso - Allegro Molto
Serenade In D Major, K250 - 248b 'Haffner': II Andante
Serenade In D Major, K250 - 248b 'Haffner': III Menuetto
Serenade In D Major, K250 - 248b 'Haffner': IV Rondeau: Allegro
Serenade In D Major, K250 - 248b 'Haffner': V Menuetto Galante - Trio
Serenade In D Major, K250 - 248b 'Haffner': VI Andante
Serenade In D Major, K250 - 248b 'Haffner': VII Menuetto - Trio I - Trio II
Serenade In D Major, K250 - 248b 'Haffner': VII Adagio - Allegro assai

Customer Reviews:

Ever-green, sparkling performances........2001-05-13

Whatever we put in our shopping trolley usually has a "use by" date. If it has the name "Mozart" on it, however, then you may be sure you will want to go on using it for the rest of your life. It will never go stale, and you'll never tire of it.

Especially ever-green are the serenades found in this double CD. All were composed for the equivalent of the "dinner music" market of the day, for performance by noblemen's house musicians. In style they are not therefore overly complex or intricate. Sometimes, as in the last few minutes of K 239, Mozart repeats the same trick over and over again. The earliest of the serenades, K 100, dates from Mozart's thirteenth year. The remainder are the "named" serenades (named by Mozart himself). The last composed, Eine kleine Nachtmusik dates, from Mozart's 31st year. It originally had an additional minuet movement, now lost.

Tracks:

Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 21 In C Major, K. 467: ll. Andante (Theme From Elvira Madigan)
Serenade In G Major, K. 525 'Eine Kleine Nachtmusik': ll. Romance. Andante
Sonata For Piano No. 11 In A Major, K. 331 (300i): l. Tema. Andante grazioso e variazione
Serenade In B-Flat Major For 12 Wind Instruments & Double Bass, K. 361 (370a) 'Gran Partita': lll. Adagio
Symphony No. 41 In C Major, K. 551 'Jupiter': lll. Menuetto. Allegretto - Trio
Adagio, K. 356 (617a) (Originally for Glass Armonica)
Serenade No. 9 In D Major, K. 320 'Posthorn': lll. Concertante. Andante grazioso
Concerto Ffor Flute, Harp And Orchestra In C Major, K. 299 (297c): ll. Andantino
Sonata For Piano No. 12 In F Major, K. 332 (300k): l. Allegro
Quintet For Clarinet, 2 Violins, Viola & Cello In A Major, K. 581 'Stadler Quintet': lV. Allegretto con variazioni
Concerto For 2 Pianos And Orchestra In E-Flat Major, K. 365 (316a): lll. Rondeaux. Allegro

Customer Reviews:

Who cares if you score higher or not?.......2005-12-07

It's still debatable on whether or not listening to Mozart's music makes you any "smarter." With that fact being stated, it's only fair to judge this CD on whether or not it is a good sampler of Mozart's music and not on what it does to your test scores.

You see, the nice thing about "Mozart Makes You Smarter" is that it doesn't feature the same old Mozart pieces that have been played to death in movies, department stores, or on those collections called "Classical Music for People Who Hate Classical Music." This one searches a little harder to find those particular pieces that would reveal a certain amount of freshness to a young mind. Case in point is the delightful final track, "Concerto for 2 Pianos in E-Flat Major." It hasn't been beaten into your head over the years, yet it is 100% hummable and memorable.

It's economical, over 77 minutes long, and doesn't settle for low-quality performances. An improved test score would be icing on the cake and eating it. But as it is, this is a superb Mozart sampler. I've owned it for ten years and have yet to get tired of it.

"Nobody Knows Enough to be a Pessimist".......2004-08-11

I am an elementary school teacher and have played this CD in the background in my classroom for several years. I can't say that it has made my students smarter in math, English, or science, but it has made them smarter in music. And who knows...maybe it does stimulate the development of a certain area of the brain in young children that doesn't get stimulated by other forms of learning. It certainly hasn't made them dumber. The one positive thing I have noted about the affect of this music: my students are much calmer, more relaxed, and much more cooperative when it is playing.

this is for "A music fan from Midland, Texas".......2001-05-15

Look at the way you write your english first of all and then comment on the CD. Your education needs to be honed and who knows you might just get lucky. Listening to the CD just to get wiser IS NOT the policy here...read books also will ya??!! I am concerned about you, dear fan of Mozart.

It dosnt work.......2000-09-15

i listened to this disk 2 times and I still feel dum. iT does not work, save you're money.

It dosnt work.......2000-09-15

i listened to this disk 2 times and I still feel dum. iT does not work, save you're money.

Mozart: Eine kleine Natchmusik; Serenata notturna; Posthorn Serenade; Haffner Serenade

Average customer rating:

Mozart + Bohm + Brandis = Exquisite Musical Beauty
The slow tempo somehow failed to capture all the beauty
ACH Mozart what can one say

Mozart: Eine kleine Natchmusik; Serenata notturna; Posthorn Serenade; Haffner Serenade

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Mozart: Sinfonie Concertanti K.297b & K.364
Mozart: Concertos for Clarinet, Flute & Bassoon / Karl Böhm
Beethoven: Symphony Nos. 6, 7 & 8/2 Overtures
Mozart: String Quartets Nos. 14 - 23
Mozart: The Late Symphonies: Nos. 25, 29, 35, 36, 38, 39, 40, 41

ASIN: B000001GYG
Release Date: 1997-07-15

Tracks:

Eine kleine Nachtmusik K. 525: Allegro
Eine kleine Nachtmusik K. 525: Romance: Andante
Eine kleine Nachtmusik K. 525: Menuetto: Allegretto
Eine kleine Nachtmusik K. 525: Rondo: Allegro
Serenata notturna K. 239 In D Major: Marcia: Maestoso
Serenata notturna K. 239 In D Major: Menuetto
Serenata notturna K. 239 In D Major: Rondeau: Allegretto
'Posthorn' Serenade K. 320: Adagio maestoso - Allegro con spirito
'Posthorn' Serenade K. 320: Menuetto: Allegretto
'Posthorn' Serenade K. 320: Concertante: Andante grazioso
'Posthorn' Serenade K. 320: Rondeau: Allegro ma non troppo
'Posthorn' Serenade K. 320: Andantino
'Posthorn' Serenade K. 320: Menuetto
'Posthorn' Serenade K. 320: Finale: Presto

Tracks:

'Haffner' Serenade K. 250 - 248b: Allegro maestoso - Allegro molto
'Haffner' Serenade K. 250 - 248b: Andante
'Haffner' Serenade K. 250 - 248b: Menuetto
'Haffner' Serenade K. 250 - 248b: Rondeau: Allegro
'Haffner' Serenade K. 250 - 248b: Menuetto galante
'Haffner' Serenade K. 250 - 248b: Andante
'Haffner' Serenade K. 250 - 248b: Menuetto
'Haffner' Serenade K. 250 - 248b: Adagio - Allegro assai

Amazon.com

Here, on two well-packed discs for the price of one, is the cream of Mozart's many serenades. Mozart was the only composer to successfully conquer this hybrid form. For him, an orchestral serenade meant a large work (often nearly an hour long) combining all of the parts of a symphony with several aspects of the concerto. There are marches, minuets, and sections featuring a solo violin or horn. Karl Bohm was a Mozart specialist--his interpretations have just the right combination of discipline and spontaneity. This is music from an era when the pace of life was much more leisurely than it is now. So sit back, relax, and enjoy. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Mozart + Bohm + Brandis = Exquisite Musical Beauty.......2006-01-16

This 2-CD set offers four of Mozart's most beautiful compositions performed by one of the 20th century's greatest conductors of Mozart, with the Vienna Philharmonic and Berlin Philharmonic, with outstanding sound quality on a remastered analog recording from the 1970's. If that were all it offered, it would already be more than enough to satisfy the listener.

But it also offers the heavenly beauty of Thomas Brandis' violin performance in the "Haffner Serenade" on Disc 2. The quality of his performance is as good as that of any violinist that I have ever heard; it is filled with sweetness, lyrical poetry, elegance, depth, and tenderness. There are passages of rapid scintillating solos that sparkle with joy, lightness, and wit. Thomas Brandis prepared his own cadenzas in movements 2 (andante) and 4 (Rondeau: Allegro). His performance in the Rondeau is like entrancing magical poetry.

The balance between the violin and the orchestra in the "Haffner" Serenade could not be more perfect. As they go back and forth, giving a seamlessly coordinated performance, they respond to each other like true partners and with ebullient rhythmic energy brimming with joy and love for the music they're performing; it's as if the violin and orchestra were dancing with each other, whirling up and down the length of a long ballroom. The sound of the orchestra is rich and full of majestic grandeur, but never weighty, ponderous.

Karl Bohm was in his late seventies and early eighties when he rcorded these four works. He brought an entire lifetime of intimate knowledge of and love for Mozart to these performances that radiate with elegance, warmth, and vitality.

As a point of comparison, among the many excellent recordings of Eine kleine Nachtmusik and the Posthorn Serenade, there is also the 1983 digital recording by James Levine and the Vienna Philharmonic, also on DG. The Levine CD offers a much longer Andantino section (9:34) in the Posthorn Serenade, compared with Bohm's (5:14); with its much greater length and slower tempo, it has a wistful and melancholy quality that is reminiscent of the adagio in Mozart's Clarinet Concerto in A Major.

The orchestra in the Levine recording also has a slightly less majestic, more intimate quality in its sound, with the sound of the different orchestral sections and individual instruments a bit more clearly delineated in some passages. But these differences between Bohm and Levine are differences to be appreciated, not judged with a view to finding one approach "right" and the other "wrong".

Both CDs, the Bohm and the Levine, come with well-written, detailed, interesting, and informative essays in their inserts. My recommendation is to buy both CDs and enjoy the nuances of the different performances. However, if you must buy only one, then, although the Levine single CD is excellent and in digital, the Bohm 2-CD set is the one to get. For only a few dollars more it offers something exquisitely beautiful that is not on the Levine single CD: the "Haffner" Serenade with the brilliant performance of the violinist, Thomas Brandis. Very highly and enthusiastically recommended.

The slow tempo somehow failed to capture all the beauty.......2003-12-04

Mozart's K.525 is probably the most popular Mozart piece. But in this CD, the slow tempo somehow failed to capture the full range of beauty, especially the fourth chapter(rondo,allegro).
In my opinion, the slow tempo deviates a little bit too far from Mozart's intention; because, I think, some notes in the fourth chapter is meant to be played a little bit faster than this CD did. Since I can't post a score here, I can't explain exactly which notes I'm talking about. My recommendation is that if you buy this CD, don't buy it for the K.525.

Of course, the rest of this 2 cd set is just wonderful. This CD still worth 5 stars.

ACH Mozart what can one say.......1999-03-28

ah mozart what else can one say. wolfgang amadeus mozart without qualification europes finest composer. My personel favorite is don giovanni, ein kleine nachmusik. brava brava brava fortissimo

Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik; "Posthorn" Serenade; Serenata notturna

Average customer rating:

Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik; "Posthorn" Serenade; Serenata notturna

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

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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: B000ASAEJ4
Release Date: 2005-11-08

Tracks: