Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, David Zinman, Tonhalle-Orchestre Zurich Pamela Frank Plays Mozart: Violin Concertos Nos. 1-5/Haffner Serenade Genre:Classical Following his successful series of Beethoven Symphonies with this orchestra, Zinman collaborates with the American violinist Pamela Frank in a satisfying series of Mozart Violin Concertos. It's a fascinating experience to ... more »follow the way, in a single year (his 19th), Mozart progressed from the Baroque pleasantries of the First Concerto to the deeply personal expression of the last three. Frank and Zinman are pleasant guides. They aren't as warm as some Mozart interpreters (like the splendid Grumiaux), but their collaboration is alert and charming, and, as in his Beethoven, Zinman leads the orchestra with sparkling clarity. Zinman must have felt deeply involved in this project, as he wrote cadenzas for most of the five concertos. To fill in, they extract the three "concerto" movements (with violin solo) from Mozart's "Haffner" Serenade, not a bad idea. But there was also room for the two isolated Mozart Violin Concerto movements, which appear in some sets although not here. Too bad. At the price, it's still a bargain. --Leslie Gerber« less
Following his successful series of Beethoven Symphonies with this orchestra, Zinman collaborates with the American violinist Pamela Frank in a satisfying series of Mozart Violin Concertos. It's a fascinating experience to follow the way, in a single year (his 19th), Mozart progressed from the Baroque pleasantries of the First Concerto to the deeply personal expression of the last three. Frank and Zinman are pleasant guides. They aren't as warm as some Mozart interpreters (like the splendid Grumiaux), but their collaboration is alert and charming, and, as in his Beethoven, Zinman leads the orchestra with sparkling clarity. Zinman must have felt deeply involved in this project, as he wrote cadenzas for most of the five concertos. To fill in, they extract the three "concerto" movements (with violin solo) from Mozart's "Haffner" Serenade, not a bad idea. But there was also room for the two isolated Mozart Violin Concerto movements, which appear in some sets although not here. Too bad. At the price, it's still a bargain. --Leslie Gerber
The Finest Recently Recorded Mozart Violin Concertos
John Kwok | New York, NY USA | 04/26/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I agree with Amazon.com's reviewer that Ms. Frank isn't as warm an interpreter of Mozart as Monsieur Grumiaux was, but she, Maestro Zinman and the Tonhalle Orchestra make a compelling case why this should be regarded as among the finest cycles of Mozart violin concerti. Indeed, Grammophone's Classical CD guide does regard it as definitive. I was greatly impressed with Ms. Frank's lyrical playing and great technical skill. I was also amazed that she played cadenzas that were largely composed by Zinman, not by Joachim or some other noted violinist of the past. Once more, David Zinman conducts the Tonhalle Orchestra as though it was a chamber orchestra, not the symphony orchestra that it is. He conducts Mozart with clarity, without being overwhelmed by warmth, opting for brisk tempi. Arte Nova's sound engineers have to be commended for producing again a first-rate well-balanced recording that is as good as their spectacular Zinman/Tonhalle Orchestra Beethoven symphony cycle."
The set to own
Jesse Irons | Baltimore, MD USA | 11/11/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Pamela Frank is inspiring. Her playing is light on its feet and quick-witted, with nothing Mozart didn't write and everything he did. After listening to Ms. Frank on these CDs, one cannot imagine Mozart being played any other way - it just seems so "right".If you want two recordings, go for this one and Grumiaux (already mentioned by other reviewers). If you only want one, however, this is the one."
Sparkling clarity
Jesse Irons | 07/05/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I own several other recordings of these concertos. Maybe it's the "sparkling clarity" mentioned by Leslie Gerber, maybe its the DDD sound, or maybe it's Pamela Frank's charming style, but these sound uniquely special to me. At this price, these CDs deserve 5 stars."
Refreshingly Alert Collaboration for the Mozart Violin Conce
Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 07/11/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There are times when all of the elements for cohesive performances/recordings arise, and this 2000 recording of the five Violin Concerti of Mozart with Pamela Frank, David Zinman (both conducting and writing the cadenzas!), the Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra, AND the recording engineers is about as perfect as any of the innumerable recordings currently available.
Pamela Frank does not play for gusto but for suave delicacy and sincere insight and her tone is a pure and unforced as any violinist on the stages today. Her approach to these well known concerti is refined, developing the necessary innate approach to the progressively more advanced composing subtleties Mozart demonstrated from the first to the fifth, and her communication with Zinman and the orchestra is secure. The often performed Concerto No. 3 in G major, K. 216 is perhaps the best example: the opening movement opens with the bristling orchestral setting for the entrance of the violin and Frank dances with the luster and brisk sparkle as well as any other violinist.
In addition to the finely honed performances of the five concerti, Zinman elects to close the concert with the Serenade No. 7 for orchestra in D major ("Haffner"). It is a treasure. Zinman has developed a specific sound with the Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra that is unique and has been recorded with expertise by the Arte Nova engineers. This is a fine CD even for those with multiple other recordings of the concerti by other fine violinists. Mozart/Frank/Zinman and the Tonhalle ensemble sing! Grady Harp, July 07