Mozart - Symphonies Nos. 38 - 41 - Linn: CKD308 - 2 SACDs

Mackerras doesn't short-change us on the tenderness and often painful lyricism… nor is he afraid to relax the tempo as a festive or belligerent motif gives way to a gentler one, with the strings…... — BBC Music Magazine, March 2008, More…

Release Date: 25th Feb 2008
Catalogue No: CKD308
Label: Linn
Length: 2 hours 19 minutes

BBC Music Magazine

March 2008

Orchestral Choice
BBC Music Magazine Awards

2009

Disc of the Year & Orchestral Award Winner

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Mozart: Symphony No. 38 in D major, K504 'Prague'

36:47

Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Sir Charles Mackerras
Recorded: 3-9 August 2007
Recording Venue: City Halls, Glasgow, United Kingdom

I. Adagio - Allegro

17:44

II. Andante

11:18

III. Presto

7:45

Mozart: Symphony No. 39 in E flat major, K543

30:02

Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Sir Charles Mackerras
Recorded: 3-9 August 2007
Recording Venue: City Halls, Glasgow, United Kingdom

I. Adagio - Allegro

9:50

II. Andante con moto

8:02

III. Menuetto: Allegretto

4:21

IV. Finale: Allegro

7:49

Mozart: Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K550

34:01

Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Sir Charles Mackerras
Recorded: 3-9 August 2007
Recording Venue: City Halls, Glasgow, United Kingdom

I. Molto allegro

7:07

II. Andante

13:25

III. Menuetto: Allegretto

4:03

IV. Allegro assai

9:26

Mozart: Symphony No. 41 in C major, K551 'Jupiter'

38:28

Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Sir Charles Mackerras
Recorded: 3-9 August 2007
Recording Venue: City Halls, Glasgow, United Kingdom

I. Allegro vivace

11:28

II. Andante cantabile

10:27

III. Menuetto: Allegretto

5:03

IV. Molto Allegro

11:30

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Obituary, Sir Charles Mackerras

19th July 2010

Recording of the Week, Late Mozart Symphonies

18th February 2008

Reviews

March 2008

Mackerras doesn't short-change us on the tenderness and often painful lyricism… nor is he afraid to relax the tempo as a festive or belligerent motif gives way to a gentler one, with the strings… ravishing us with their tone.

2010

There is no need to argue the credentials of Sir Charles Mackerras as a Mozart interpreter, so let us just say that this double CD of the composer's last four symphonies contains no surprises – it is every bit as good as you would expect. Like many modern-instrument performances these days it shows the period-orchestra influence in its lean sound, agile dynamic contrasts, sparing string vibrato, rasping brass, sharp-edged timpani and prominent woodwind, though given Mackerras's long revisionist trackrecord it seems an insult to suggest that he would not have arrived at such a sound of his own accord. And in any case his handling of it – joyously supported by the playing of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra – is supremely skilled; rarely will you hear such well judged orchestral balance, such effective marrying of textural transparency and substance. The Jupiter in particular has a wonderful bright grandeur, yet reveals details in the brilliant contrapuntal kaleidoscope of the finale that too often go unheard.
Seldom, either, will you hear such expertly chosen tempi; generally these performances are on the quick side, but rather than seeming harddriven they exude forward momentum effortlessly worn. Nowhere is this better shown in the slow movements (even with all their repeats they never flag, yet their shifting expressive moods are still tenderly drawn), but also conspicuously successful are the slow introductions to Symphonies Nos 38 and 39 and the Minuet movements of Nos 40 and 39.
These are not Mozart performances for the romantics out there, but neither are they in the least lacking in humanity. No, this is thoroughly modern-day Mozart, full of wisdom and leaving the listener in no doubt of the music's ineffable greatness.

April 2008

…rarely will you hear such well judged orchestral balance, such effective marrying of textural transparency an substance. The Jupiter in particular has a wonderful bright grandeur, yet reveals details in the brilliant contrapuntal kaleidoscope of the finale that too often go unheard.

18th February 2014

The excellent SCO shows a remarkable ability to alternate seamlessly between passages of tenderness and beauty and those of intensity and excitement. Mackerras makes sure you hear everything you need to, with every phrase carefully shaped and intricately balanced...In all, an enthralling and thoroughly recommended release. Even if you own these works already, you won’t have heard them like this before!

Mackerras's performance is as thrilling as one would expect from this great Mozart conductor. Possibly their finest record to date…I don't know more enthralling accounts of the G minor and the Jupiter on disc.

Mozart's last four symphonies…have rarely shone as luminously as in these uplifting accounts.

Mozart - Symphonies Nos. 38 - 41

2 SACDs

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