Mozart Sinfonia Concertante 364

This ninth volume in the Next Generation Mozart Soloists series brings together four young soloists under conductor Howard Griffiths and reveals the sheer breadth of Mozart’s creativity. Mozart most probably heard a sinfonia concertante — a work in which a group of solo instruments embarks on a dialogue with orchestra — for the first time in Paris in 1778. He composed such a work for violin, viola, and orchestra the following year: the Sinfonia concertante KV 364. It is recorded here by Johan Dalene and Eivind Ringstad, who are full of praise for how Mozart gave the viola equal footing with the violin.

Of all the reconstructions prompted by the 1991 Mozart jamboree, Philip Wilby’s recreation of the Violin and Piano Concerto of 1778 was the most worthwhile. Wilby skilfully completed the 120-bar fragment of the first movement and took the slow movement and finale from the unusually brilliant, ‘public’ D major Violin Sonata, K306. There are problems – not least of dates – with Wilby’s thesis that the Sonata is the ‘last resting-place’ of the projected double concerto. But the three movements certainly make a satisfying entity. Midori and Eschenbach give an immensely polished reading, phrasing with unfailing subtlety and sophistication.

In this much requested re-issue, Chandos presents the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra performing Mozart’s Concerto for two pianos and Sinfonia concertante.
Both these works were written in Salzburg. The Concerto for two pianos was intended for performance by Mozart and his sister. With his justly famous Sinfonia concertante, boundlessly energetic in the outer movements and including a slow movement of quite remarkable poignancy, Mozart achieved one of his finest orchestral works before arriving in Vienna.

Perlman and Zuckerman are great violinists. Their rendition of the Mozart Sinfonia Concertante for Violin and Orchestra is magnificent. The Allegro Maestoso first movement is delightful and lively. The rest of the slower movements are graceful and charming. If you are a fan of Mozart, you will love this cd. Not like the Violin Concertos because the Concertante is more of a lighter and less "complex " work, but still a masterpiece. It is garuanteed to be of your liking.