Recording suggestions and notes from Mr. Whisler!

1.       Bohm – Berlin Philharmonic 

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTl_GnlLH4U 

Time stamps (also in link description):  

Mvt 1 – 0:00 

Mvt 2 – 8:27 

Mvt 3 – 16:32  

Mvt 4 – 21:18 

 

Comments: Highly realistic tempi of what we’ll be taking this summer, so great preparation tool! 

 

2.       Szell – Cleveland Orchestra 

Link: All movements separate 

Mvt 1 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nkSDPreTP4 

Mvt 2 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdHsVu4BIXc 

Mvt 3 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeWoGUwEssw 

Mvt 4 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDhMlJ3hK_Q 

 

Comments: Most movements are pretty close to our tempo (or a bit faster, so something to shoot for). Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra were a gold standard for orchestral recordings in the 1960s. The wind section, in particular, was (and is) highly regarded for being crystal clear and polished – a great asset for Mozart.   

 

3.       Harnoncourt – Concentus Musicus Wien (Austria) 

Link: All movements separate 

Mvt 1 - https://youtu.be/j5iVnSBOz6w 

Mvt 2 – https://youtu.be/FfeZrmYMtPg 

Mvt 3 – https://youtu.be/PbwJhFGUiFc 

Mvt 4 – https://youtu.be/dfiYRModcRw 

 

Comments: Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Austrian cellist, has long been considered as one of the top scholars and interpreters of classic-era music. He founded the Concentus Musicus Wien in the 1950s as an outlet to perform period music in historically-correct style. He has authored many books and has the performance chops to back up the research. Always a go-to for music of the 18^th century.  

 

4.       Jacobs – Freiburg Baroque Orchestra 

Link: All movements separate 

Mvt 1 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90bhPTR7Y2s 

Mvt 2 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcP-Vq7ZfOw 

Mvt 3 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKhPsxa2j68 

Mvt 4 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w70FWshoyhc 

 

Comments: Rene Jacobs is a countertenor-turned-conductor, so much of what he brings is an operatic and dramatic interpretation of Mozart’s Symphonies – every instrument family, every new theme, is like a new character coming onstage. This vision combined with the period-appropriate instruments, often performed at breakneck tempi, makes for a great listening experience that I highly recommend for style, character, and fun.