After Mozart

Advantages: Beatuful redentions of highly celebrated works
Disadvantages: Would be nicer with a broader selcetion on disc

...Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is a household name, even among non-classical music lovers - he is - for many - the definition of music. This CD houses 2 works by the genius - Symphony No.40 in G minor and Symphony No.41 - Jupiter. Mozart wrote No.40 after the death of his infant daughter - this is potrayed immediatly through the minor key in which the piece begins in. It later modulates to a major key which denotes his hopefulness of moving on and closing the bereavement door. The piece culminates in a repetition and develoment of the 1st section to reiterate his pain and sorrow. Symphony No. 41 was completed just 1month after no.40, in the summer of 1788. It is nicknamed ' The Jupiter Symphony' due to its power and percieved size, particularly in the finale, where a memorable theme is heard alongside with others that have featured... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Classic Brendel, good sound
Disadvantages: Classic Brendel

...After having spent quite some time, both in the studio and the concert hall, concentrating exclusively on the Beethoven Piano Sonatas and Piano Concertos, Brendel, whilst always being limited to some, (not inconsiderable, it seems) extent by physical problems in and around the areas of his back and arms, is now free to explore other music avenues. This is the second disk of Brendel's Mozart with which we have been presented over the recent past; the other being his account of two of the concertos. Here we have performances of 3 of the unaccompanied sonatas. Brendel has long been considered as being a Mozartian of zest and insight. But, for me at least, his interprtations of this Master can seem a little quirky. Its as if he doesn't, in some way, relate to the personality and musical language of Mozart with quite the same success... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Fun, comic, lyrical
Disadvantages: Sung in italian

...The Composer Wolfgang Amadus Mozart was born in Salzburg on the 27th January 1756. A child protegy, he began composing from a very early age. He was at ease writing in every genre of music but it was in opera that Mozart’s chief passion lay. He composed Don Giovanni in 1787 whilst in Prague. The Music Don Giovanni is a comic opera dealing with the contemporary tensions of class and sex. Giovanni is a Spanish nobleman with an insatiable desire for sexual conquests. The scene is Seville, Giovanni arrives masked persued by Donna Anna who he has tried to seduce. Her father hears her cries and is killed in a duel by Giovanni. The music falls into a dramatic silence followed by a trio of male voices baritone and bass which combine to express the sadness and shock of the death. Ultimately Giovanni is consigned to eternal damnation... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful