Mozart: Symphony No. 21 in A major, K134, etc.

2010

“Here are three symphonies from Mozart's late teens, written in Salzburg, in crisply articulated performances. The first of them is a Sturm undDrang piece in G minor, a key that the composer reserved for moods of agitation. Mackerras takes the orchestra through the big opening Allegro conbrio of No 25 with drive and passion, although it's unlikely that Mozart would have expected a Salzburg orchestra in the 1770s to play as fast as this skilful body of Czech players. The gentle Andante comes therefore as a relief, though here too Mackerras keeps a firm rhythmic grasp on the music, and indeed a taut metrical aspect is a feature of all three symphonies as played here, so that minuets dance briskly and purposefully and finales bustle. However, the sunlit warmth of the beautiful A major Symphony, No 29, comes through and the bracing view of the other two symphonies is a legitimate one, though giving little or nothing in the direction of expressive lingering, much less towards sentimental indulgence.
The Prague Chamber Orchestra is an expert ensemble, not overlarge for this style of music, and the recording is without doubt admirably clear although a little reverberant.”

“The complete musical satisfaction provided by the four Italian-overture symphonies... is due to the intrinsic fullness and vigour of the orchestration, and to the NCO's lively performances.”