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Buyer Reviews
Average Buyer Rating:
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I'll make this short and sweet
I bought this boxed set about 3 months ago, and I keep going back to it....
In short,THIS IS THE ONE TO BUY. What Murray Perahia and the English Chamber Orchestra have accomplished with Mozart's work is astonishing. This is what "they" mean when they say that the music has "come off the page." Superlatives fail to convey the wonderous result. This is ensemble playing at it's best.
Customer Rating: -
Lack of Variation Does Not Bother Me
I don't usually post reviews here on amazon but this set deserves an exception. I shopped very carefully to find the "best" of the complete sets (shelling out $80 requires some attention to detail). After reading various reviews and sampling every recording I could find, I purchased this set.
Before I begin, I should say I don't believe that any performance of classical music is "definitive." There are good recordings and bad recordings, yes, but among the good ones, it is often difficult to decide which is the "best." I usually aim for an excellent sound coupled with a solid and moving interpretation of the work. For Mozart's piano concertos, there are several sets which contain both, with the individual recordings varying in the finer things.
For this particular performance, Perahia is all about tone, and keeping it perfect. Some may criticize this set for sounding "all the same" or lacking in variation, but this does not bore me or present much of a problem. When its played as beautifully as this one can never have too much. Still, if you are looking for a little more interpretation to "jazz up" the recordings, Brendel's set may be for you. I prefer this less romantic venture which focuses solely on the music. When I listen to one of these concertos I don't feel that I hear Murray Perahia playing, because he doesn't embellish or add anything. He just makes the music sing beautifully, and though I never like seeing the words "this is how the composer would have played it" (especially on Chopin reviews) I often feel that I'm hearing Mozart himself joyously run along the keys while conducting the instrumentalists.
The English Chamber Orchestra, which has performed this work with several other prominent pianists, sounds flawless and dances beautifully alongside Perahia's sweeping fingers. I cannot stress enough how clear this sound quality is: I've grown accustomed to muffled or muted piano sounds from various other cds and so was very pleased to hear this recording sound as great as it does. The playing is lighthearted and quick: some have expressed that it is a little boring but as I said above: lack of variation does not mean lack of excitement or interest.
A word for those who may be considering purchasing a much cheaper 2-disc set containing only the "major" concertos: the lesser known ones are just as good as the later ones! I found the first four concertos to be so melodic I spent a week listening to only them! There is certainly something to be said when listening to a piece of music for the first time, and this set gives you the opportunity to do just that and go far beyond the 6 or 7 that are heard everyday.
All in all, a purchase I am very glad I made, and one that continues to be listened to. A worthy purchase for anyone looking for a clear recording of Mozart's concertos performed in a very solid and classical way.
Customer Rating: -
Sublime performances
I actually have two sets of the complete Mozart concertos with Murray Perahia,in addition to a number of individual performances by pianists such as Serkin, Barenboim, Rubinstein, Andsnes, Pollini, etc. etc. The first set I acquired did not have the 2- and 3-piano concertos; the second, more recent set, does include them. The combination of Perahia and Lupu is sublime - certainly two of the finest Mozart performers today.
In particular, Perahia's performance of the 9th, 15th, 20th, 22nd, 23rd, 24th and 25th are not to be outdone by anyone. And the English Chamber Orchestra is probably the best chamber orchestra in the world today.
Customer Rating: -
A classic set
In the world of classical music, Mozart's 27 piano concertos stand among the greatest pinnacle works for the genre. Among the legenday recordings, Murray Perahia's are considered by many professionals and amatuers alike to be among the finest readings. Sets like this are a superb investment for a lifetime of enjoyment and marvel.
While most are familiar with the "Great Piano Concertos" that Mozart largely wrote towards the end of his Vienna heydays, I was surprised at how delectable the early concertos were even though they are less complex compositions than the later masterpieces.
Perahia and the English Chamber Orchestra bring out the galante charm of these pieces. In the famous c-minor and d-minor works, there are certainly more "ominous and thundering" recordings - Malcom Bilson and the English Baroque Solists come to mind - but Perahia and the ECO bring a consistent lithe and fluid progression to each piece. It is magnificant music on all levels.
The sound quality is quite good with the piano sounding exceptionally sparkling and pefectly balanced. The orchestra was recorded a bit on the restrained side which was fine with me as I prefer concertos that have less dynamic range. It is good but just shy of the brilliance and clarity of the best modern DDD recordings. But, the piano is wonderfully recorded and can be heard in great detail - especially vital for students.
This is a landmark CD set of timeless music that is a fine investment in the musical history of the western world. Is it "the best?" Who knows as there is really no such measure in music.... Compositions - 5 stars; Performance 5 stars; Sound quality - 4.5 stars.
