Mozart: The Violin Concertos, Sinfonia Concertante
£12.98
- 1. Allegro moderato
- 2. Adagio
- 3. Presto
- 1. Allegro moderato
- 2. Andante
- 3. Rondeau (Allegro)
- 1. Allegro
- 2. Adagio
- 3. Rondo (Allegro)
Less Haste More Speed - I generally prefer period performances, Rachel Podger s Mozart violin sonatas for instance, and so I have long been looking for a good gut string version of Mozarts violin concertos. Monica Huggett s early music version (Virgin Records) was lush and expansive, but rather anodyne. Who better, I thought, to put some excitement into these old warhorses than Carmignola? After two thorough listenings I must answer this question both a yes and a no. The recording is clear and the sound generally crisp and vibrant and Carmignola s playing is all that one could ask for. However, as Carmignola happily crows in the liner notes, these are very FAST, up tempo versions. It certainly differs them from their competition, but to what end? The energy is there, but sometimes brisk becomes hurried and in slow movements hurried does not work at all. One gets a feeling that the orchestral director and Carmignola need to catch the last train home and are pushing things a bit. Some of the beauty of these pieces is simply not allowed to breath. I want to like it, but after a second listening I am more frusrated by their interpretation than interested. For example the Adagio of the First concerto comes in at 7 17 rather than the 9 + of most other recordings. What is the point of the hurry? I think I still prefer Pinchas Zukerman s from the 1980s with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchetra... Now there was gusto WITH beauty.