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Presto News - 15th March 2010Mozart Symphonies from Mackerras - Volume 2 |
 One of our best selling discs ever is the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Sir Charles Mackerras’s recording of Mozart’s late symphonies on Linn. It was released two years ago and has won several awards including Disc of the Year at the 2009 BBC Music Magazine Awards. I’d be surprised therefore if I’m the only one who has been eagerly awaiting the promised second volume. Well the wait is finally over as it is released today. Containing Symphonies 29, 31 (Paris), 32, 35 (Haffner) & 36 (Linz), it arguably completes the set of all the real masterpieces which Mozart gave to the Symphonic genre. Just like in the first set, the combination of Mackerras’s lifelong experience of performing Mozart (he’s now 84) and the youthful and hugely talented Scottish Chamber Orchestra produces a recording of staggering quality. Produced by James Mallinson (a multi-award winning producer who also does all of LSO Live’s releases), the quality of the recording is equally breathtaking.  Sir Charles Mackerras From the very first bars of Symphony No. 29 you immediately sense a vitality and transparency in the playing which will mark this recording out above virtually all others. The balance is superb and the rhythms so clear that you hear all the inner details of Mozart’s orchestration. The orchestra plays predominantly on modern instruments (with natural horns and trumpets) but with an acute awareness of period style, and this combination of rich orchestral colour and appropriate stylistic playing is hugely persuasive. Mackerras paces the slow movements just right, never sounding rushed nor in the slightest bit dull. The phrasing always sounds natural, and even within very quiet passages there is a shape and elegance to proceedings. There is never any exaggerated slowing down at the end of phrases, nor any sentimentality or mannerisms. The finales crackle with electricity, the trumpets and drums play with a bright blazing splendour, and when the horns let rip there is a real thrill and excitement. I don’t believe the concept of definitive recordings as I think there is almost always more than one interpretation that can be valid and have something interesting to say. That said, I can’t imagine a more persuasive version of these symphonies than this – so joyous and life-enhancing throughout and they come with my highest recommendation. I’ve put a short video on the website for you to watch and, after a few thoughts from Sir Charles, there is a substantial excerpt from the first movement of the ‘Haffner’ Symphony to whet your appetite. Enjoy! |
 Mozart - Symphonies Nos. 29, 31, 32, 35 & 36Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Sir Charles Mackerras |
Chris O'Reilly - chris@prestoclassical.co.uk |
Watch a short trailerNew Releases15th March 2010 |
This is just the pick of the recent releases. The New Releases and Future Releases pages are always available for browsing all the new and forthcoming releases. |
 Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14Anima Eterna, Jos van ImmerseelThis monumental work of French Romanticism is one of the essential landmarks in the career of any conductor. The quality of Berlioz’s orchestration and questions of timbre and the ideal instrumental forces lie at the core of the approach of Jos van Immerseel and Anima Eterna Brugge, who are increasingly drawn to French composers and especially to their precise, shimmering orchestral textures. |
 Charpentier, M-A: David et JonathasAnders Dahlin (David), Sara Macliver (Jonathan), Dean Robinson (Saul), Richard Anderson (Achis), David Parkin (Ghost of Samuel), Simon Lobelson (Joabel), Paul Mcmahon (La Pythonisse), Cantillation & Orchestra of the Antipodes, Antony WalkerThis beautiful and engaging French Baroque opera brings to life the Biblical story of a friendship which surmounts political, religious and even family differences. Charpentier’s 17th century masterpiece is celebrated with this brilliant recording by Australia’s most exciting opera company, Pinchgut Opera. |
 Bach, J S: St Matthew Passion, BWV244Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, Thomanerchor Leipzig & Thomanerchor Leipzig, Riccardo ChaillyThe great orchestra of Bach's own city of Leipzig in a glorious new recording of his choral masterpiece. Played on modern instruments, Chailly’s Bach beautifully demonstrates that vivid, stylistically aware performance is not the exclusive preserve of period instrument ensembles. Distinguished German vocal soloists, including acclaimed bass-baritone Thomas Quasthoff, rise gloriously to the challenges of Bach’s exalted score. The choir parts are thrillingly sung by two of Germany's most celebrated boys' choirs - the Thomanerchor Leipzig and the Tölzer Knabenchor. |
 Thieriot - Chamber Music Volume 1Hamburg Chamber PlayersThis is the first of a series of recordings that the Hamburg Chamber Players will be making for Toccata Classics, focussing on chamber music by neglected German Romantics. Ferdinand Thieriot (1836–1919) was, like Johannes Brahms, a student of Eduard Marxsen in Hamburg. Brahms remained a friend in later years – and indeed Thieriot’s music has a Brahmsian warmth and richness and overflows with memorable melodies. |
 Mahler: Symphony No. 9 in D majorStuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra, Roger NorringtonThis is the latest Mahler recording from the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Roger Norrington. This recording marks the crowning achievement of Norrington’s exploration of the Romantic Symphony masterpieces. |
 Cantilena: Voices of Bach - Transcriptions for oboeAlbrecht Mayer (oboe), The English Concert & Trinity BaroquePrincipal oboist of the Berlin Philharmonic and a hugely successful recording artist in his native Germany, Albrecht Mayer is a world-renowned musician and winner of Germany's prestigious ECHO-Klassik as Instrumentalist of the Year. His latest Decca solo album is a celebration of the music of J.S.Bach. The album includes works written specifically for wind instruments (both oboe and cor anglais) as well as great melodies from the choral works in new arrangements. |
 Soweto StringsA Film by Mark KidelSoweto Strings tells the extraordinary and moving story of an outstanding music project in Soweto. Established in 1997 by British viola player Rosemary Nalden, the Buskaid project, which gives local township children the opportunity to learn classical stringed instruments virtually free of charge, has transformed the lives of many youngsters and produced musicians of international quality. Under Rosemary Nalden’s direction, the Buskaid Ensemble has played in many of the world’s most prestigious concert halls, and its performance at the 2007 BBC Proms in London won it unanimous critical acclaim. In 2009 Gramophone magazine identified the Ensemble as one of the world’s ten most inspiring orchestras. Award-winning filmmaker Mark Kidel followed the project’s work for over two years, focusing on a number of musicians at different stages of the journey towards the mastery of their instruments. He also highlights Rosemary Nalden’s phenomenal success at inspiring young musicians who have grown up in exceptionally difficult circumstances. |
 9 New Dutton Epoch releasesA superb selection of new releases from Dutton this month including Violin Concertos from Lionel Sainsbury & Haydn Wood, Elgar's Sea Pictures sung by baritone Roderick Williams, a rare disc of English String music, discs of John Ireland and Arnold Cooke, and more... |
 BBC Radio 3 CD ReviewSaturday 13th March 2010 |
Building a Library - Brahms: Die schöne Magelone, Op. 33 |
 First Choice - (baritone and piano)(coupled with a small selection of Schubert songs accompanied by Benjamin Britten)Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone) / Sviatoslav Richter (piano) |
 First Choice - (tenor, narrator and fortepiano)Christoph Pregardien (tenor) / Andreas Staier (fortepiano) / Vanessa Redgrave (narrator) |
Disc of the Week |
 Prokofiev - String Quartets Nos. 1 & 2Pavel Haas Quartet |
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