Search - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Daniel Barenboim, Berlin Philharmonic Chorus :: Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 5, 6 & 8

The True Beginning of Mozart's Piano Genius

Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 05/05/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Piano Concerto No. 5 is where Mozart really came into his own on the keyboard. Although there are technically four earlier Piano Concertos written when Mozart was eleven (check out Perahia's recording), they were all based on the movements of other composers. On Concertos 5, 6 & 8, Mozart's genius on the keyboard unfolds before our ears. The wonderful thing is that unlike Mozart's Symphonies, which don't hit their best stride until Symphony No. 29 or 30 in my opinion, his 5th Piano Concerto is as incredible as his 25th! Daniel Barenboim recorded all Mozart's Concertos for Teldec and all of the ones I have heard are very good (though many prefer his earlier Cycle on EMI). The Berlin Philharmonic couldn't be in better form and the digital sound is impeccable. A truly first rate performance of the first true concertos."