Mozart

Naxos 8 550871
59 minutes: DDD
1994

Track Listing:

Review Excerpt

Mozart: Symphonies 1, 2, 4 & 5 and 6 - 10

Ward and his orchestra demonstrate a sensitive response to the wealth of stylistic influences apparent in these works. Purists may question the inclusion of two of the symphonies, Nos. 2 and 3, since neither work is actually by Mozart..However, when they are played with such engaging style and elegance as here, these two works add a further important dimension to Mozart's early symphonic output. Where J C Bach's influence is most powerful (Symphonies 1, 4, 5 and 6), the NCO presents the music's contrasting thematic characters with fine clarity, balancing the music's beautifully transparent textures with appropriate lightness of touch. The inclusion of trumpets and drums in the next three symphonies (Nos. 7, 8 and 9) announces the young composer's growing brilliance and stature. In these pieces, the NCO moves into a suitable higher gear, revealing Mozart's new and potent originality, with powerfully dramatic tuttis and expressively sung andantes.. the NCO's deliciously spacious orchestral playing demonstrates Mozart's ravishing originality, with dramatic opposition of gesture and instrumentation in the exuberant allegros and a beguilingly graceful slow movement that winningly displays a keen awareness of the composer's innovative touches. These are indeed splendid performances, admirably complemented by vivid recordings (made in the spacious acoustic of the Concert Hall, New Broadcasting House, Manchester).

Classical Good CD Guide 2001.