Mozart: Piano Concertos nos. 21 & 24/ Casadesus, Szell
Roberto J Iriarte | Cleveland, OH | 06/24/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is an outstanding reissue by Sony Classical. The rich precise Szell sound is unmatched by any orchestra in any time period and Casadesus intreprets Mozart with grace and wit."
Classic Mozart From A Classic Triple Combination
Erik North | San Gabriel, CA USA | 12/26/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Two of Mozart's greatest and most popular piano concertos, Nos. 21 and 24, are combined in this reissue of a classic 1961 recording made by French pianist Robert Casadesus with the Cleveland Orchestra and the legendary if sometimes intemperate conductor George Szell. No. 21 is performed brilliantly by this triple combination; and Casadesus' playing, especially in the concerto's celebrated Andante (the one used in the 1967 Swedish film ELVIRA MADIGAN [hence this concerto's nickname]), is absolutely exquisite.The 24th concerto in C Minor, the only one besides the 20th (in D Minor) to be in a minor key, is one of Mozart's most turbulent works, and uses the largest number of orchestral players of any of the concertos (even trombones are used here). This, however, daunts neither Casadesus nor Szell, as they and the Cleveland Orchestra power themselves through this stormy and dramatic Mozart masterpiece.This recording is very strongly recommended for classical music lovers in general, and Mozart lovers in particular."
A winner performing
Hiram Gomez Pardo | Valencia, Venezuela | 06/12/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Casadesus was one of the most expressive pianists in any age. He had a deep sense of comittment and secret rapport with the composer . This statement works out specially for Mozart , Ravel , Beethoven and Chopin.
Both of these Mozart concerts are superb played filled with inspiration and deep musicality.
But I like to recomend specially an old recording I found in an antiques store in Caracas in 1990 in vynil.
The recording is from 1947, (Columbia Records)in which Casadesus gives THE MOST OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE OF THE MOZART 21 TH CONCERT.
Imagine the incredible surprise and powerful combination : the aristocratic Charles Munch conducting the New York Philarmonic. I can't explain why the Sony Record hasn't made a transfer on CD of this unforgettable and historical recording.
Meanwhile the 21 of this CD is an extraordinary achievement : but believe me it never reachs the peak of that one. I really hope that this review can be obtained by any important important executive of Sony Records. It would be a wonderful treasure for the mankind!."
Track Listings (6) - Disc #1