Mozart: Piano Concerto in D Minor, K. 466, Scarlatti: 11 Sonatas

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This important revival of some of the crown jewels of the old Westminster catalogue should not be missed. Clara Haskil was one of the great pianists of the past century and she's absolutely stunning here. In the Mozart, Haskil plays with classically contained passion, powerful drama, and beautiful tone, well captured by the vibrant transfer of the 1950 mono recording. Especially notable is her second movement, "Romance," played with a flowing tempo and the phrasing of a great opera singer. It's bursting with emotion, but never in an overly Romantic way. The orchestra's far from first-rate, but Haskil carries the day, and this is preferable to her stereo remake of a decade later. The 11 Scarlatti sonatas are done with such a blend of charm and virtuosity that you're left panting for more. Her playing is immaculate, the trills thrilling, the mood of each sonata perfectly captured. This is one of those rare don't-miss discs. --Dan Davis

Tracks:

Con No.20 in d, K.466: I. Allegro
Con No.20 in d, K.466: 2. Romance
Con No.20 in d, K.466: 3. Rondo. Allegro Assai
Son in c#, Kk.247
Son in G, Kk.2
Son in C, Kk.132
Son in g, Kk.35
Son in E flat, Kk.193
Son in f, Kk.386
Son in f, Kk.519
Son in A, Kk.322
Son in b, Kk.87
Son in C, Kk.515
Son in F, Kk.437

Amazon.com

This important revival of some of the crown jewels of the old Westminster catalogue should not be missed. Clara Haskil was one of the great pianists of the past century and she's absolutely stunning here. In the Mozart, Haskil plays with classically contained passion, powerful drama, and beautiful tone, well captured by the vibrant transfer of the 1950 mono recording. Especially notable is her second movement, "Romance," played with a flowing tempo and the phrasing of a great opera singer. It's bursting with emotion, but never in an overly Romantic way. The orchestra's far from first-rate, but Haskil carries the day, and this is preferable to her stereo remake of a decade later. The 11 Scarlatti sonatas are done with such a blend of charm and virtuosity that you're left panting for more. Her playing is immaculate, the trills thrilling, the mood of each sonata perfectly captured. This is one of those rare don't-miss discs. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

Great Legacy.......2005-10-05

Haskil and Maria Tipo are two great lady pianists of the century and both like to put their Mozart and Scarlatti repertoire together. So, it would be interesting to make a comparison of them.

Tipo's Scarlatti are easy to understand, even for the first listening. For an even better alternative, one might check out Michalengeli-- regrettably, the latter had recorded only a few of them.

Haskil's, on the other hand are much more subtle and much more lively and so full of nuances. Yet, her reading is not always easy to follow and it often takes time to digest. But after that, it would rewarding enough.

Personally speaking, I would give more weight to Haskil's Mozart than her Scarlatti; and I would give more weight to Tipo's Scarlatti than her Mozart.

Lastly, to those who are impressed by her Mozart, don't forget to check out her Mozart Violin Sonatas with Grumiaux which are really a treat.

PS: Even though we don't have any information about the conductor, the orchestra is not bad at all and the recorded sound, very good in view of its time.

Five stars for Haskil.......2002-10-07

I hadn't heard anything by Clara Haskil before buying this disc, except for her DG Originals Mozart concerti which didn't make much of an impression one way or the other. This disc, however, is another story. Haskil's is a very impressive k. 466, tragic and intense without verging in any way into Romantic anachronism. Both the Mozart and the Scarlatti are distinguished by lively intelligence and subtle use of pianistic colour.

The caveat has to do with the orchestral contribution to the Mozart, which doesn't come through in particularly good sound and is sometimes overly Romantic for my taste, particularly in the slow movement.

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

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Johannes Brahms: Horn Trio Op.40/Clarinet Trio Op.114

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