Mozart – Alto CD

Mozart Violin Concertos Nos.4 & 5 PLUS Violin Sonata K454

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:48:12 +0000

[K.219] (his) innate musicality shone through … (he) should be heard if you don’t mind a much fuller tone in Mozart … distinguished by the beautiful phrasing of David Oistrakh, very sympathetically supported by the Dresden Orchestra and Konwitschny.” (Gramophone)
[K.218] “very romantic …a legendary violinist at his absolute peak, recorded in better sound than possible then in his own country and sympathetically supported” [K454] “a warmly cosseted account of Mozart’s great B flat Sonata, with Yampolsky providing trim pianistic support.” (Gramophone)

Violin Concerto No.4 in D, K218 [25:00]

[1] I. Allegro 9:20

[2] II. Andante cantabile 8:03

[3] III. Rondo: Andante grazioso 7:36

with Philadelphia Orchestra / Eugene Ormandy

Violin Sonata No.32 in Bb, K454 [21:27]

[4] I. Largo – Allegro 6:58

[5] II. Andante 7:48

[6] III. Allegretto 6:40

with Vladimir Yampolsky (piano)

Violin Concerto No.5 in A, K219 [29:46]

[7] I. Allegro aperto – Adagio – Allegro aperto 9:30

[8] II. Adagio 11:02

[9] III. Tempo di Menuetto – Allegro – Tempo di Menuetto 9:13

with Staatskapelle Dresden / Franz Konwitschny

Mozart: Requiem Mass K.626

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:44:06 +0000

this is a grandly scaled, nobly contoured reading, by turns monumental and ferociously dramatic. With biting choral attack, searing, spitting strings and scything trumpets, the Dies irae has a terrifying intensity I have rarely heard equalled. The Rex tremendae, too, is overwhelming in its desperate fervour and grimly sustained impetus, with the inexorable dotted rhythms hewn from granite … If you want a traditionally conceived budget-price Requiem, well sung, superbly played and vividly recorded, Davis’s performance has much to commend it.” (Gramophone)

1. Requiem und Kyrie 7:13
2. Dies Irae 1:44
3. Tuba mirum 3:37
4. Rex tremendae 2:14
5. Recordare 6:03
6. Confutatis maledictis 2:44
7. Lacrimosa 2:58
8. Domine Jesu 4:15
9. Hostias 4:36
10. Sanctus 1:46
11. Benedictus 4:33
12. Agnus Dei 8:46

Beethoven: 33 Variations on a Waltz Theme by Diabelli / Mozart Violin Sonata K 379

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:42:57 +0000

“Diabelli was overwhelmed by the work submitted by Beethoven which quite overshadowed anything else sent by others. He pronounced it ‘a work to set alongside J S Bach’s masterpiece’ (Goldberg Variations) and he must have been exceptionally gratified that his otherwise ordinary waltz tune would survive in perpetuity as a result of Beethoven’s efforts (indeed it has been considered by the greatest living interpreter of Beethoven’s piano works, Alfred Brendel, to be ‘the greatest of them’). It is certainly the longest of his piano works and predictably covers every emotion” © James Murray

[1] Thema 0:52
[2] Var. I Alla marcia maestoso 2:24
[3] Var.II Poco allegro 0:55
[4] Var. III L’istesso tempo 1:20
[5] Var.IV Un poco piu vivace 1:00
[6] Var. V Allegro vivace 0:53
[7] Var.VI Allegro, ma non troppo
[8] Var. VII Un poco piu allegro 1:09
[9] Var.VIII Poco vivace 1:02
[10] Var. IX Allegro pesante e risoluto 1:36
[11] Var.X Presto 0:41
[12] Var. XI Allegretto 1:09
[13] Var.XII Poco piu moto 0:48
[14] Var. XIII Vivace 1:12
[15] Var.XIV Grave e maestoso 3:46
[16] Var. XV Presto scherzando 0:39
[17] Var.XVI Allegro 0:57
[18] Var. XVII Allegro 1:01
[19] Var.XVIII Poco moderato 2:10
[20] Var. XIX Presto 0:55
[21] Var.XX Andante 2:43
[22] Var.XXI Allegro con brio. Meno allegro 1:38
[23] Var.XXII Molto allegro alla “Notte e giorno faticar” di Mozart 0:49
[24] Var.XXIII Assai allegro 0:58
[25] Var.XXIV Fughetta. Andante 3:07
[26] Var.XXV Allegro 0:46
[27] Var.XXVI no tempo markings 0:50
[28] Var.XXVII Vivace 0:59
[29] Var.XXVIII Allegro 0:54
[30] Var.XXIX Adagio, ma non troppo 1:02
[31] Var. XXX Andante, sempre cantabile 1:56
[32] Var.XXXI Largo molto espressivo 3:47
[33] Var.XXXII Fuga, Allegro. Poco Adagio 3:00
[34] Var.XXXIII Tempo di Menuetto, moderato 3:08

Mozart: Violin Sonata in G major K379 (22:27)

[35] Adagio 6:44
[36] Allegro 6:10
[37] Andantino cantabile 9:36

Mozart: The Two Piano Quartets K478, K493

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:42:36 +0000

“Mozart’s piano quartets, sharply contrasted, are among the finest of his chamber works, with K478 bringing depths that G minor always seems to draw from him. This new performance … has a better, more just balance, so that sparkling piano is a constant delight … partnered by an exceptionally strong trio of string players … lighter and faster than rivals, yet dazzlingly clear… The E flat K493 … more orchestral texture, but again this performance is lighter and the slow movement more tenderly expressive. In the finale too the Nash play with extra sparkle, with rhythms jauntily sprung … far more charming than … rivals, and the rapid triplet figuration is a delight to the ear … this new offering stands among the finest.”(Gramophone)

Piano Quartet in G minor, K478 (1785)
[1] I: Allegro 14:24
[2] II: Andante 6:57
[3] III: Rondo: Allegro moderato 7:45
Piano Quartet in E flat, K493 (I786)
[4] I: Allegro 15:20
[5] Il: Larghetto 13:22
[6] III: Allegretto 8:51

William Boyce: Eight Symphonies, Op. 2 Leopold Mozart: ‘Toy Symphony’ & Trumpet Concerto

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:41:49 +0000

“these fresh, inspirating, virile pieces, arguably the finest musical products of Georgian England… the music is finely done, the dances with a proper swing, the French overtures with rhythms that sound sharp but not unnaturally prickly …

Symphony No. 1 in B flat
‘NEW YEAR ODE’

[1] Allegro 2:01
[2] Moderato e dolce 2:12
[3] Allegro 1:27

Symphony No. 2 in A
‘BIRTHDAY ODE’

[4] Allegro assai 2:19
[5] Vivace 1:02
[6] Presto Allegro 1:29

Symphony No. 3 in C
‘THE CHAPLET’

[7] Allegro 2:28
[8] Vivace 1:19
[9] Tempo di Minuetto 1:27

Symphony No. 4 in F
‘SHEPHERDS LOTTERY’

[10] Allegro 2:21
[11] Vivace ma non troppo 1:21
[12] Gavotte: Allegro 2:10

Symphony No. 5 in D
‘ST.CECILIA’S DAY ODE’

[13] Allegro ma non troppo 3:56
[14] Tempo di Gavotta 1:36
[15] Tempo di Minuetto 2:09

Symphony No. 6 in F ‘SOLOMON’

[16] Largo 1:28
[17] Allegro 2:35
[18] Largetto 1:24

Symphony No. 7 in B flat
‘PYTHIAN ODE’

[19] Andante 3:57
[20] Moderato 1:12
[21] Jigg: Allegro assai 1:56

Symphony No. 8 in D minor
‘WORCESTER OVERTURE’

[22] Pomposo 3:13
[23] Allegro 2:18
[24] Largo Andante 2:16
[25] Tempo di Gavotta 3:32

Leopold Mozart (1719-87)
Trumpet Concerto in D major*
(Mainz Chamber Orchestra)
(Trumpet: Walter Holy)

[26] Adagio 4:57
[27] Allegro moderato 3:23

Cassation in G for Orchestra & Toys
‘Toy Symphony’

[28] Allegro 4:10
[29] Menuetto – Trio – Menuetto 3:55
[30] Finale 1:27

MOZART: Piano Concertos 22 & 25 plus Rondo A minor K511

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:41:06 +0000

“Another unforgettable early Brendel coupling, with the sound very respectable in its CD transfer. The E flat concerto is better-focussed than (before on LP) and the excellent wind-playing is well caught. Brendel plays the first movement of No.22 with authority, the Andante variations very beautifully and the Finale enchantingly. No. 25 shows Brendel at his most commanding and Angerer sets the scene admirably with an imposing opening …Again the solo phrasing is eminently stylish, the …lyrical theme of the 1st movement giving much pleasure and the Finale given the lightest touch.” (Penguin Guide 3 stars)

Piano Concerto No.22 in E flat major, K482

[1] i. Allegro 12:44
[2] ii. Andante 8:51
[3] iii. Allegro – Andantino cantabile – Allegro 12:07

Piano Concerto No.25 in C major, K503

[4] i. Allegro maestoso 13:57
[5] ii. Andante 7:43
[6] iii. Allegretto 8:55
[7] Rondo No.3 in A minor, K511 Andante 11:28

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-91) Great Mass in C minor K427 Motet: Exsultate, Jubilate K165

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:41:05 +0000

(Exsultate, jubilate) “Miss Stader gives an even more assured performance now and manages to keep the feeling of exaltation up to the end ..an excellent performance.” (Mass) “both the cathedral choir and the symphony orchestra produce glorious sonorities surpassed only by the fine team of soloists. Of these, Maria Stader is outstanding for her supremely well sustained lines, whether purely melodic or brilliantly decorative. She utters truly musical phrases, long in span and carefully moulded in every respect. Stader’s amazingly fine transition from the low to the high ‘Christe’ is in a class by itself, for which there would seem to be no regular and acceptable term….The C minor Mass is certainly difficult to cast well, and this is as near to perfection as we shall get…..” (Gramophone)

Great Mass in C minor K427

[1] Kyrie 7:22 [7] Quoniam 4:09
[2] Gloria 2:29 [8] Jesu Christe – Cum sancto spiritu 4:42
[3] Laudamus te 4:53 [9] Credo 3:36
[4] Gratias 1:38 [10] Et incarnatus est 8:00
[5] Domine Deus 3:05 [11] Sanctus 3:55
[6] Qui tollis 6:18 [12] Benedictus 6:39

Exsultate, Jubilate (motet for soprano) K165
Maria Stader

[13] Allegro: Exsultate, jubilate 5:06
[14] Recitativo: Fulget amica dies 0:56
[15] Andante: Tu virginum corona 6:14
[16] Allegro: Alleluia 2:35

Mozart: ‘Gran Partita’ Wind Serenade K361

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:40:43 +0000

“another first-rate version of this gorgeous work..a deeply affectionate reading of the music, and it is

beautifully played. Jane Glover is not afraid to take some really slow tempos: for the introduction to the

first movement, for the heavenly adagio in which the three leading players are finely eloquent – and in the

Romance, surely slower than Mozart would have countenanced, but I confess I love it. …The quick music moves

well, and the variation movement is done in a pleasantly light manner (with no loss of sensuous warmth in the

exquisite fifth variation). …The recording finely captures the sound of the ensemble” (Gramophone)

Wind Serenade in Bb K.361 ‘Gran Partita’
London Mozart Ensemble Winds / Jane Glover*

[1] Largo – Allegro molto 9:01
[2] Menuetto 8:46
[3] Adagio 6:01
[4] Menuetto: Allegretto 5:08
[5] Romanze: Adagio – Allegretto – Adagio 7:27
[6] Tema con Variazione: Andante 9:53
[7] Rondo: Allegro molto 3:18

Wind arrangements from operas (Mozart arr. Wendt)
New York Philomusica Winds / Director: Robert Johnson**

[8] Overture 3:40
[9] Se a casa madama 2:12
[10] Non piu andrai 3:16
[11] Porgi amor 2:13
[12] Ecco la marcia 2:43
[13] Overture 4:10
[14] Sento o Dio 3:18
[15] Una donna a quindici anni 3:10
[16] Prendero quel Brunettino 2:53
[17] Fortunato I’Uom 1:11

Mozart Piano Concertos 21, 24

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:38:06 +0000

“Howard Shelley gives delightfully fresh and characterful readings of both concertos, bringing out their strength and purposefulness as well as their poetry, never overblown or sentimental… an outstanding digital bargain” (© Penguin Guide3 stars) “This is a real bargain….orchestral phrases are well moulded in tone…ensemble is admirable, and textures well integrated….all the drama without ever falling into the trap of exaggeration” (© Gramophone)

[1] Allegro 14:20
[2] Andante 7:27
[3] Allegro vivace assai 6:52

Piano Concerto 24 in C minor, K491 (1786)

[4] Allegro 13:44
[5] Larghetto 7:49
[6] Allegretto 8:45

Mozart: Le Nozze di Figaro

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:37:42 +0000

“another of the classics of the gramophone, beautifully played by the VPO, conducted with poise and vitality and a real sense of the drama unfolding through the music. It’s very much a Viennese performance…warm, sensuous and alive to the interplay of character – ”Gramophone

A legendary cast of Vienna State Opera stars and the Vienna Philharmonic under the direction of Erich Kleiber at the peak of his career were the essential ingredients in the making of this 1955 recording of Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro that is regarded as one of the greatest opera recordings ever made. Alto is pleased to make this essential recording available in a newly remastered edition at super-value price.