Search - Franz Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Anton Heiller :: Haydn: Trumpet Concerto; Mozart: Posthorn Serenade

Vienna Orchestral Playing of Top Quality

10/10/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is a gem not to be overlooked. Made when orchestras were not overloaded with recording and performing committments, when economic matters did not limit rehearsal time, when "gemuetlichkeit (Viennese for a particular local charm)was still an everyday characteristic, the playing on this disc is absolutely superb. The tonal qualities of the ensemble, the particular attention to detail of phrasing, the joy of Haydn, the esprit of Mozart at his most inspired are all immediately apparent. Helmut Wobitsch was for many years the principal trumpet player of the Vienna Philharmonic and his sense of style for this music is unquestioned. The Haydn Concerto is a deligtful piece and is given a polished reading which is technically exemplary and tonally as clean as the instrument allows. The orchetral accompaniment by Anton Heiller is good. The Mozart Serenade No. 9 in D (K.320) is quite another matter musically and solistically. The work takes the subtitle "Posthorn" from the sixth of it's seven movements, a Minuet wherein Mozart composes the second trio for posthorn solo, a small circular instrument without valves, resembling a miniature French horn. There are few instruments of this variety extant today, though Mr. Wobitsch owns several according to the descriptive notes, and plays the instrument like a master. The first movement of the Posthorn Serenade is notable for it's continuous musical line without repeats. The introductory adagio is only six measures long though the thematic material is re-introduced at the recapitulation of this sonata-form movement. This is followed by the first of two minuets and then two concertante movements featuring the woodwind instruments. They are in fact like miniature concerti grossi and are both gracious and elegant in ambiance. The slow movement is an andantino and a rather somber contrast to the happy character of the preceeding sections. There follows the above mentioned second minuet with posthorn and then a presto movement which is an elaborate finale with great elan. The orchestration is consummate and the ornimentation full of sparkling qualities. The Serenade is one of Mozart's finest orchestral compositions, an ideal companion to all the great symphonies, and a work in which the listener can identify much of the raw material of Mozart's brilliant workshop. The interpretation of the Posthorn by conductor Jonathan Sternberg bursts with energy and emphasizes the joyous nature of the work. The strings of the State Opera Orchestra make some very beautiful sounds and the whole makes one want to listen to more. Sternberg's affinity for music of this period, his spirited performances of Haydn, Mozart and Schubert was first discovered about half a century ago on the original Haydn Society, Bach Guild, Oceanic and Oisseau-Lyre labels. Of particular note was the first Lord Nelson Mass by Haydn with Lisa Della Casa and George London as vocal soloists. Hopefully Music and Arts will re-issue this as well.It was a classic of the period as was his LP of Rossini's Stabat Mater. Superb !"

Vintage Mozart Authentically Performed

Robert Valliant | London (UK) | 05/25/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Finally an authentic performance of this vintage Mozart work which vascilates during seven movements between deadly serious and utter joy. The slow introduction seems to prepare one for a heavy major movement only to suddenly turn into a happy allegro. There are two minuets, one of which introduces the posthorn, a small instrument seldom encountered in the repertoire. Between them is a minor keyed slow movement of typical Mozartian pathos, and sandwiched in the middle are two concertante pieces featuring the woodwinds in a playful conversation. A more appealing 40 minutes of music is difficult to find. The performance by the Vienna State Opera Orchestra under Jonathan Sternberg seems ideally suited to the character of the work. There are none of the interpretive idiocyncracies often found in contemporary recorded versions. This is a natural, outgoing and full sounding rendition, probably as Mozart and his noble entourage might have heard when the piece was played in an Austrian palace. Jonathan Sternberg conducts the Serenade with a rich sense of grandeur and brings out the magnificent orchestral sonorities of the Vienna orchestra. Each movement is teated as an individual gem and the anticipation of what is coming next always present. There are two small faults. The major work on this disc is the Mozart. Why is the lesser and considerably shorter Trumpet Concerto by Haydn, certainly well played by Helmut Wobisch, featured as the primary selection of this CD ? And secondly, the transfer from the original LP could have been considerably enhanced to conform to present day standards. Nevertheless, a must for connoisseurs."