Search - Wolfgang Mozart, Claudio Abbado, Berlin Philharmonic :: Posthorn Serenade K.320, Marches K.335 & Divertimento K.251 Nannerl Septet

Abbado and Mozart

Kevin | Davis, CA United States | 12/28/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Claudio Abbado's Mozart cycle is, quite possibly, not only some of the conductor's greatest achievements, but also some of the finest recordings ever made. I would be hard-pressed to think of another conductor who captures the silliness, joy, and complexity of Mozart's work as well as Abbado. The playing of ther Berlin Philharmonic is second to none. Each phrase, each note is clear and in tune. There may be no finer ensemble playing recorded than in these Mozart works with Abbado.In the present recording, two of Mozart's most joyful works, the Serenade in D, the 'Posthorn, and the Divertimento in D, are presented. The two marches are surprisingly wonderful and seem to have had as much care put into it as Abbado would put into a Mahler symphony. Much applause to the Maestro. In short, snag this CD whenver you get the opportunity, or any other Mozart by Abbado for that matter."

Well, but better Harnoncourt with Dresden in ETERNA

oscarolavarria | Santiago, Chile | 05/31/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Abbado like his predecessor Karajan, is not considered a great mozartian: sometimes conducts too slow, like in Mozart's piano concertos cicle with Rudolf Serkin, or too fast like his 40 and 41 symphonies recorded with London Symphony Orch. in DG, from the eighties'. This recording from 1992 is an exception to that rule, this is a dinamic, brilliant, colourful and vivid performance of Posthorn Serenade and K. 251 Divertimento, in a magnific stereo recording. Indeed, I prefer Nicolaus Harnoncourt's interpretation with Dresden Staatskapelle in ETERNA, now Berlin Classics, with renownned Peter Damm playing the "posthorn". Other excellent options may be Charles Mackerras' version with Prague Chamber Orch. in TELARC (his Haffner serenade's recording is superlative) or Günther Wand with NDR Sinfonieorchester in BMG, but Abbado (and Harnoncourt's recording too) includes the introductory and final marches in this recording. Highly recomendable!."