(The) Complete Mozart Edition

Advantages: Unparalleled playing, Unbelievably good bargain for 6 CDs!
Disadvantages: Um, paper sleeves? No, seriously, it's great

...This box set comprises recordings from 1985-89, when Horowitz was 81 years old! In 1986 Horowitz returned to Russia after 60 years away to give his monumental Moscow recital of which the live recording is included in this set. I personally find this performance of Liszt's Sonetto 104 del Petrarca to be the finest ever recorded. Alongside this is Scarlatti, Mozart, Rachmaninov, Scriabin, Schumann, Chopin, Moszkowski, and Schubert. Accompanying this recital is 5 other discs of outstandingly unique playing. As he got older, Horowitz's playing became a sort of caricature of itself in the nicest possible way. By this I mean, his dynamics became more extreme, he became more expressive than ever, and his sense of style was heightened to new levels. Horowitz's Mozart playing has been criticized for being too free and not in Mozart... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Every sacred music by Mozart in 1 boxset
Disadvantages: Not the best available

...at the time like the rest of the orchestra does. Quite a few of the smaller works (the misas for example) have the traditional, but no often heard plainsong or Gregorian chant at the begining of a piece of music. It would have been preferable to have these as single tracks (as most other record labels do), as they are not central to the main piece of music, and it can be a pain fast-forwarding to the main piece if you do not want to listen to it. The whole box set seems to be a mixed bag of played well and not so well, too fast and too slow, to loud and too quiet. Overall, there is nothing for me to recommend this above any other CD or boxset except that it is a complete set. A couple of Mozart's religious works have been recorded to death (I specifically refer to the Requiem!), but quite a few don't get a look in, and recordings can... Read review

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Advantages: World Class Trumpet playing from a Brit!
Disadvantages: Seven tracks of Spanish songs maybe a little to many for some

...Alison Balsom is making quite a name for herself on the international music scene. Her delightful style and majestic sound make this album a top buy. Throughout the CD influences of Hakan Hardenberger are heard (her former teacher). Looking at the track listing on the album you might think a risk has been taken transcribing works which are grounded into the history of other instruments and turning them into trumpet music. As soon as the CD starts spinning in the machine you know that the risk has pulled off. Music of Mozart and Bach sound like they were written for trumpet. Some say that Balsom has only made it to where she is because of her good looks. This is complete and utter nonsense as we here in track 4 'Variations on Casta Diva'. This composition challenges every aspect of trumpet playing yet Balsom takes it in her breeze.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful