Isaac Stern: Mozart: Violin concertos Nos. 1-5; Sinfonia concertante, K. 364; Concertone, K. 190 (Box set, Vol.3, 3CDs)

Audio CD Release Date: May 16, 1995
Studio: Sony
Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Conductor: Alexander Schneider [violin], Daniel Barenboim, George Szell
Orchestra: Cleveland Orchestra [Members of], Columbia Symphony Orchestra, English Chamber Orchestra
Number Of Discs: 3

Review:

Stern + Szell = Sensational!
Volume 3 of violinist Isaac Stern's "A Life in Music" series is (appropriately) a three-disc set featuring Mozart's five Violin Concertos, and other orchestral works for the instrument. This collection was originally issued in Sony's "Mozart - Legendary Interpretations" series and fortunately it has been reissued here. (Note to Sony - follow suit and reissue the rest of Szell's Symphonies and Ormandy's Wind Concertos!) As indicated above, three different men – George Szell, Alexander Schneider and Daniel Barenboim – conduct the works on this disc. The Szell performances date from the early 1960s – Concertos Nos. 1 & 3 are from January 1961 while No. 5 is from April 1963. The Barenboim recordings are from 1971 (Sinfonia Concertante K364) and 1973 (Concertone K190). Finally, the Schneider accounts – Concertos Nos. 2 & 4, Adagio K261 and Rondo K373 – are all from February 1976. All are in stereo. It is my opinion that these performances, particularly those with Szell, are the best available, and the only other set comparable is the Grumiaux/Davis on Philips (see my review). Of course, if you don't want to buy 3 CDs worth of Mozart Violin works, you can always buy the Sony "Great Performances" title featuring the very same recordings of Concertos Nos. 4 & 5.

Track Listing:

Disc: 1

Concerto No. 1 in B-flat Major for Violin and Orchestra, K. 207
1. Allegro moderato
2. Adagio
3. Presto
Concerto No. 2 in D Major for Violin and Orchestra, K. 211
4. Allegro moderato
5. Andante
6. Rondeau. Allegro
Concerto No. 3 in G Major for Violin and Orchestra, K. 216
7. Allegro
8. Adagio
9. Rondeau. Allegro

Disc: 2
Concerto No. 4 in D Major for Violin and Orchestra, K. 218
1. Allegro
2. Andante cantabile
3. Rondeau. Andante grazioso
Concerto No. 5 in A Major for Violin and Orchestra, K. 219 {"Turkish"}
4. Allegro aperto
5. Adagio
6. Rondeau. Tempo di menuetto
7. Adagio for Violin and Orchestra in E Major, K. 261
8. Rondo for Violin and Orchestra in C Major, K. 373

Disc: 3
Concertone in C Major for Two Violins and Orchestra, K. 190
1. Allegro spiritoso
2. Andantino grazioso
3. Tempo di menuetto. Vivace
Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola and Orchestra in E-Flat Major, K. 364
4. Allegro maestoso
5. Andante
6. Presto

Download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/196316695/Vol_3.part01.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/196382557/Vol_3.part02.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/196400186/Vol_3.part03.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/196416482/Vol_3.part04.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/196600258/Vol_3.part05.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/196608135/Vol_3.part06.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/196616779/Vol_3.part07.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/196624035/Vol_3.part08.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/196631330/Vol_3.part09.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/196634548/Vol_3.part10.rar