CDs / DVDs

www.amazon.com, 09. Juli 2012
5 Sterne (von 5 möglichen)
Excellent period-aware performances on modern instruments
This is a totally enjoyable concert of mostly major works by Mozart. The recording was made in 2005 in the Berlin Konzerthaus. The Kammerorchester CPE Bach is an excellent group of musicians and Haenchen is a very experienced conductor at this repertoire. Stefan Vladar is a fine pianist who first came to fame at the age of 20 when he won 1st prize at the Vienna Beethoven Competition.

The first item is an early work by Mozart, a divertimento written when only 15 years old. Others would be happy to write it at any age! This is followed by the popular 20th Piano Concerto which is given a sensitive but dramatic reading where a forward pulse is maintained with a strong underlying rhythmical control. Although playing on modern instruments, the balance between the piano and the reduced orchestra is about perfect with every detail clearly audible. There is a strong rapport maintained between the players and the conductor throughout.

The final item is a strong performance of the Jupiter Symphony which shares all the drive, forward momentum and clarity that informs the previous items. It would be possible to imagine a gentler approach to this symphony but this remains a fine interpretation that builds impressively and excitingly to the final peroration with an appropriate blaze of splendour.

The imaging is crisp, detailed and well-lit. There is a nice blend of close and more distant shots. The sound is very good indeed with plenty of clarity without exaggeration or spotlighting. It is presented in DD5.1, DST 5.1 and stereo.

This is a period-aware set of performances but played on modern instruments with an orchestra reduced to an appropriate size. In my opinion it is worth 5 stars and should give much satisfaction to all purchasers except those who particularly favour very romantic interpretations of this repertoire.
I. Gilles
Ganze Rezension