Search - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Andras Ligeti, Concentus Hungaricus :: Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 21, 12 & 14

Pay Attention to a Flawless #12!

Kevin Currie-Knight | Newark, Delaware | 02/04/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Most people will be drawn to this CD by the well known Andante of the "Elvira Madigan". Concerto 21, to be sure, is flawless. Especially the medium slow andante (which has a tendency to drag in the hands of lesser ensembles, but is graceful and smooth here). I'm writing this review, though, to turn you - the soon to be smitten listener - on to a hidden treasure, overlooked but essential for any die-hard collector of Mozart masterpieces; Concerto #12. I bought this CD as part of the 5 disc box set of "Piano Concertos- vol. 2" packaged by naxos and I took immediately to this one for its vibrancy, melodicism and beauty that is definitely Mozart at his...well...most Mozart-ish. To give an idea to those unfamiliar, the allegro maestoso is on par with Mozarts finest divertimenti! And Jeno Jando with the Concertus Hungaricus perform it (not to mention the two others) with the unabashed beauty that it deserves. As with Naxos's entire collection of Mozart piano concertos, this is played in a very classical style. As was typical in Mozarts day, there were not so many tempo or dynamic changes and emphasis was placed on fluidity and melodic beauty - as differing from a romantic, grandiose interpretation. If you like your Mozart perky and fun while still being playfully contemplative (a la his divertimenti and flute & harp concerto), you will love concerto #12 and this CD!! If you, like myself, are already in love with these fine concertos, check out Naxos's collection of Mozarts piano concertos vols. 1 and 2 (this CD being in vol. 2.) Despite the budget price, the sound and performance is beautiful!"

Perfect mix of playfulness, sentiment and virtuosity

Leslie Richford | Selsingen, Lower Saxony | 12/27/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jenö Jandó and Naxos never cease to amaze. Volume 1 of the Complete Piano Concertos (Concertos No. 13 and 20) was very good, despite my slight reservations about the recorded sound. But Volume 2, recorded only one month later (June 1989), tops the first volume by quite a margin and deserves a full five-star evaluation, being in every way competitive, even among the higher priced CDs with this repertoire. The famous Concerto No. 21 in C Major, used in the film ?Elvira Madigan?, is done best of all: the balance between soloist and orchestra is perfect, and Jenö Jandó himself captures exactly the mixture of playfulness and wistful sentiment (along with virtuosity) that this concerto exudes. I suppose most people will want to listen to the Adagio slow movement most of all, and that is, in my humble opinion, remarkably well done, but it should not prevent one from listening carefully to the other two movements, where the Concentus Hungaricus (this time round Naxos managed to get the spelling right: on Volume 1 there were three different versions!) shows itself to be a congenial partner to the brilliant Jandó.



Concertos No. 12 and 14 are equally well done and also deserve more than a peremptory listening. Audiophiles may find that the sound on the Arte Nova recording with Matthias Kirschnereit and the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra is a fraction better, but I suspect that 99% of listeners will be perfectly content with this Hungarian version. Full marks to Naxos and the team for a budget-priced production that will give pleasure to many ears for many years!

"

Delightful performances of superb concertos

Gontroppo | Bathurst, NSW Australia | 10/20/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This bargain-priced CD contains 2 terrific concertos, and one that is also perfectly OK. The gem of the 3 featured is No 12: you already know no 21, the so-called Elvira Madigan concerto, but you will love No 12. Its 3 movements are charming.



Jeno Jando is a great perfomer of many different composers, but I especially love his classical period repertoire.



Highly recommended."