The World's Greatest Mozart Album

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Binding: Audio CD EAN: 0028946649428 Format: Box set Label: Decca Manufacturer: Decca Number Of Discs: 2 Publisher: Decca Release Date: 2000-05-08 Running Time: 151 Studio: Decca
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Editorial Reviews: Discover why Mozart is the world's most popular composer in this glorious selection of highlights on two discs, performed by some of the foremost interpreters of his music. Almost every genre is represented, so if you are only familiar with one area of the great Wolfgang's output, this is an ideal way to explore others. Highlights from the operas include sopranos Renée Fleming and Anne Sofie von Otter poignantly sighing through the farewell trio from Cosí fan tutte, Bryn Terfel singing Don Giovanni's charming, chilling serenade, and Sumi Jo shattering glass in the Queen of the Night's aria from The Magic Flute. Other great moments include legendary horn-player Barry Tuckwell in the finale from the fourth horn concerto, King's College Choir singing a ghostly Ave Verum, and revered Mozartian Radu Lupu playing the slow movement of Piano Concerto no. 21 ("Elvira Madigan"). Obviously with recordings from so many different times and places, the acoustics and recording levels vary between tracks so a little ear-adjustment is necessary: but quibbles aside, this is a generous compilation of some great playing and singing. --Warwick Thompson
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: Great performances by great artists (and great music of course) Comment: Putting a title like `Worlds Greatest' on the front of a CD is obviously a bold claim, and one which many people have become so familiar with that they tend to take it with a pinch of salt. There are so many ways of trying to catch the buyers interest that very few titles like these really jump out at the buyer. This one did jump out at me, though not so much for the choice of tracks, more for the quality of artists who perform them. Considering this is only a 2CD set, far too short for any Mozart compilation, the list of performers reads like a roll call for the best `Last Night of the Proms' ever staged. A simple list of some of the orchestras, conductors, singers and soloists sums up this gem of an album: Orchestras: English Chamber Orchestra, Vienna chamber Orchastra, Academy of Ancient Music, Vienna State Opera Concert Choir, Vienna Mozart Ensemble, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, English Chamber Orchestra. Conductors: Sir Neville Marriner, Sir Georg Solti, Herbert von Karajan, Christopher Hogwood. Soloists (singers): Cecilia Bartoli, Emma Kirkby, Renee Fleming, Anne Sofie von Otter, Bryn Terfel. This is a collection of quality musicians performing some of Mozarts finest works. Alternatives to this are: `The Very Best of Mozart' 2CD set on the Naxos label (3* out of 5) `Ultimate Mozart - The Essential Masterpieces' a 5CD set on the Decca label (3* out of 5) `Mozart Complete Works' a 170CD set of ALL Mozart's lifetime works (5* out of 5) Customer Rating: Summary: quite excellent! Comment: Though I'm not usually one for 'Best of...' and 'Greatest Hits' compilations, I purchased this double album recently and thought that I'd perhaps give it as a present to someone after a few listens, as a useful introduction perhaps to the magic and range of Mozart's music. I found to my surprise that it is a wonderful album, with a very well chosen range of music- arias from the great operas, moving choral music, gorgeous adagios, lively and inspiring pieces, and all performed by impeccable performers. This compilation is very well worth the price, and makes a marvellous gift to oneself as well as to appreciative friends. More Reviews