[Dusty Chalk]

Anyone recommend any versions of the Mozart Violin Concertos? I would prefer all 5, but if you have a favourite version of just the 3rd or just the 5th (or maybe both...I dunno...it could happen...), wouldn't mind hearing that, too.

Would prefer cheap, since I am just trying to see if I like these pieces.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations.

 

[DarkAngel]

Many options here, I would definitely look at "period" performances here. There are many "modern" sets but I fell the period sets capture things that elude them. Check these two mid priced Mozart VC 1-5 sets:
-Hugget/Virgin 2CD
-Standage/Oiseau Lyre 2CD

There is also the budget priced Nishizaki/Naxos versions avialable in single CD or a 3CD set, so actually costs the same or more than sets above......if you only want 1 CD version get this. (but I would get one of the two CD sets)

You will see tons of "modern" sets but I would pass on these unless you want to just see the difference, usual suspects:
Grumiaux/Phillips
Mutter/DG
Perlman/DG
Menuhin/EMI

etc, etc

 

[hempcamp]

Quote:

Originally posted by Dusty Chalk Anyone recommend any versions of the Mozart Violin Concertos? I would prefer all 5, but if you have a favourite version of just the 3rd or just the 5th (or maybe both...I dunno...it could happen...), wouldn't mind hearing that, too. Would prefer cheap, since I am just trying to see if I like these pieces. Thanks in advance for any recommendations.

Naxos if you want cheap and good.

But some of my favorites are Perlman (violin), conducted by Mehta or Levine (Vienna & Israel Philharmonic Orch's). There are several CD collections of Perlman playing Mozart, but I got a whole set from my grandfather in the Time/Life Mozart Collection. You might be able to find this set (or parts of it) on the used market.

One of my favorite recent purchases -- just Tuesday in fact! -- is the High Performance series with Perlman/Leinsdorf playing Sibelius' Conc. in D, Dvorak's Romance, Mozart's Conc. in D. This is a superb 1966 recording. I found the LP (mint!) in a thrift store a few weeks back, but as I'm turntable-less for the moment, I bought the same album from the iTunes Music Store when it was added on Tuesday. For me, classical music doesn't get much better than Sibelius & Mozart violin concertos!

--Chris

PS - I reluctantly bought the album from iTunes because I was concerned about the lower bit rate, but I must say I'm damned impressed. Usually I only buy pop/rock in digital format because I listen to that more casually than I listen to classical, but this ended up being good enough for my picky classical ears.

 

[Dusty Chalk]

These are the ones I saw in the store just now:

Perlman / DG
Zukerman / Sony Classical
Oistrakh / EMI Classics
Grumiaux / Philips
Kremer / DG
Pasquier / naïve
Stern / Sony Classical (SBM'd)

Any particular standouts from that bunch?

In addition to the two that DA recommended (which I got, have not listened to, yet) and many others that were not complete sets.

DA, not sure I understand your comment. Of the secondary ones that you listed, are you saying I should pass, or are you saying that you would recommend them only if I couldn't find the others (sort of, "backup" options, "second choices")?

Thanks for the recs, will listen to these for now.

 

[DarkAngel]

Those you list above are the "modern" instrument versions that use larger groups and fuller richer sounding modern instruments which were not around when Mozart composed these.

I prefer the "period" instrument sets like Hugget & Standage with smaller groups. They have a tranparancy and energy that eludes often heavier sounding modern versions.

 

[HD-5000]

I have a CD with 3 Mozart violin concertos performed by Pinchas Zukerman. It includes the 3rd (which is my favorite), but I'm not sure on how it compares to other interpretations.

 

[hempcamp]

Quote:

Originally posted by DarkAngel Those you list above are the "modern" instrument versions that use larger groups and fuller richer sounding modern instruments which were not around when Mozart composed these. I prefer the "period" instrument sets like Hugget & Standage with smaller groups. They have a tranparancy and energy that eludes often heavier sounding modern versions.

In my more purist moments, I prefer the period instrument recordings too.

BUT, there's no denying that the modern, more rich recordings sound fabulous and are worthwhile investments. They have their own character as the period instrument pieces have theirs.

 

[RobertR]

arte nova 74321 72104 2 . Zinman & Pamela Frank.
Budget label. I got this one at 2 for one price(includes all 5 conc. & a serenade KV 250).
Excellent sound and good performance.

 

[Geek]

I own Deutsche Grammophon's recording of Itzhak Perlman playing Concertos No. 3 and 5.

I have played both concertos in real life. I find his interpretation and instrumentation ideal. I don't think the layout of the recording I have is too rich.

Cheers,
Geek