Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Violin Concertos (Arthur Grumiaux)

Information

Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

CD1:

• (01-03) Violin Concerto No. 1 in B flat major, K. 207
• (04-06) Violin Concerto No. 3 in G major, K. 216
• (07-09) Violin Concerto No. 4 in D major, K. 218
• (10) Adagio for violin & orchestra in E major, K. 261
• (11) Rondo for violin & orchestra in C major, K. 373

CD2:

• (01-03) Violin Concerto No. 2 in D major, K. 211
• (04-06) Violin Concerto No. 5 in A major, K. 219
• (07-09) Sinfonia concertante in E flat major, K. 364

Arthur Grumiaux, violin
Arrigo Pelliccia, viola (K. 364)

London Symphony Orchestra
Colin Davis, conductor

New Philharmonia Orchestra
Raymond Leppard, connductor (K. 261 & K. 373)

Date: 1961-1967/1993
Label: Philips
http://www.deccaclassics.com/us/cat/4383232

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Review

The Belgian violinist Arthur Grumiaux made his debut in 1940 and established himself after the war as a consistently fine player with a wide repertory whose recordings show not only his mastery of the instrument but also unfailingly good taste—and lest anyone thinks that last phrase implies a lack of personality, we should remember that it was one which Haydn chose to praise Mozart. These performances of the five standard violin concertos, the Sinfonia concertante and a couple of other pieces were admired when they came out on LP, and still earn praise for their crispness, lightness and eloquence. Grumiaux was also fortunate in his partner in the Sinfonia concertante, for Pelliccia is also an expert Mozartian and they give a performance of this beautiful piece that is expressive but still avoids self-indulgent romanticism. In the solo concertos, too, Grumiaux plays cadenzas that suit the music in length and style.

Both Sir Colin Davis and Raymond Leppard are sympathetic partners in this repertory, and since the playing of the two London orchestras is no less satisfying, this issue scores all round artistically. The 1960s recordings do not sound their age, and indeed are pleasing save for a little tape hiss and, it must be said, an excess of bass that hardly suits the style of this translucent music. However that is a small price to pay when so much else is admirable, and Grumiaux's fine tonal palette is well caught.

-- Christopher Headington, Gramophone

More reviews:
http://www.classicstoday.com/review/review-6205/
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2001/Aug01/MozartVC_Grumiaux.htm
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mozart-Complete-Concertos-Wolfgang-Amadeus/dp/B000004166
http://www.amazon.com/Mozart-Concertos-Complete-Wolfgang-Amadeus/dp/B000004166

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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (27 January 1756 in Salzburg – 5 December 1791 in Vienna) was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical era. Mozart showed prodigious ability from his earliest childhood. Already competent on keyboard and violin, he composed from the age of five and performed before European royalty. Till his death in Vienna, he composed over 600 works, many acknowledged as pinnacles of symphonic, concertante, chamber, operatic, and choral music. Mozart is among the most enduringly popular of classical composers, and his influence is profound on subsequent Western art music.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfgang_Amadeus_Mozart

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Arthur Grumiaux (21 March 1921 – 16 October 1986) was a Belgian violinist. He is considered to have been one of the few truly great violin virtuosi of the twentieth century. Grumiaux studied violin with Alfred Dubois, counterpoint and fugue with Jean Absil at the Royal Conservatory in Brussels, and also studied composition privately in Paris with George Enescu. Grumiaux's playing has been included on over 30 recordings, nearly all under Philips, although his name is also seen on the labels of EMI, Belart and Music & Arts. He owned a 1744 Guarneri, the "Rose", and a 1727 Stradivarius, the "General Dupont".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Grumiaux

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