Week 2 Nos. 91-95
91. Piano Concerto No. 24 in C Minor, K. 491
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Piano Concerto 1786 Play
Easy peasy. Murray Perahia at his very best.
Perahia, English Chamber Orchestra “Mozart: Concertos No. 22 & 24 for Piano and Orchestra” 1980 16/44.1
92. Requiem in D Minor, K. 626
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Mass / Requiem 1791 Play
My preference is period instruments so I’ll go with Linn Records’ fantastic set by the Dunedin Consort under John Butt. To understand how the sound differs from that of modern instruments contrast with, for instance, Abbado.
Dunedin Consort, Butt “Mozart: Requiem (Reconstruction of first performance)” 2014 24/96
Berliner Philharmoniker, Abbado “Mozart: Requiem (Live)” 1999 16/44.1
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina Mass / Requiem Play
David Hill and the Westminster Cathedral Choir thank you.
Westminster Cathedral Choir, Hill “Palestrina: Missa Papae Marcelli & Missa Brevis” 1988 16/44.1
94. Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, WWV 96
Richard Wagner Opera 1867 Play
Unfortunately a full recording of the Kempe (widely regarded as the ‘definitive’ performance) doesn’t appear to be available on Qobuz currently so I will have to be a tiny bit boring and go with Solti. I vastly prefer his second recording with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra over his earlier recording with the VPO. Interestingly this is the only Wagner opera Solti has recorded twice.
Staatskapelle Dresden, Kempe "Wagner: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Excerpts (Mono Version) 1963 24/96
Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Solti “Wagner: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg” 1997 16/44.1
95. Symphony No. 39 in E-flat Major, K. 543
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Symphony 1788 Play
Ridiculous amount of choice here but despite having a general preference for period performance (where my choice is Mackerras with the SCO) I will always have a soft spot for the Bernstein recordings of the late symphonies with the VPO. Very special.
Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Mackerras “Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 38-41” 2008 24/88.2
Wiener Philharmoniker, Bernstein “Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 39 & 40” 1984 16/44.1
