Mozart: Symphony No. 23 in D major, K181

“The playing indeed is a joy” Gramophone Magazine (Nos. 13-16)

“These symphonies may be short in length but they are full of sizable things; they are never less than engaging and they sometimes go into Mozart's heart-felt vein. Marriner appreciates all this and gives every passage its own character, both in the vivacious fast movements and in those that go deeper into emotion […] these are extremely perceptive and utterly delightful performances […] I remember, not only no better performances of these symphonies but none nearly as vital in lively movements or as sensitive in slow” Gramophone Magazine (Nos. 23, 24, 26, 27)

“The performances have splendid life and polish … the disc can be warmly recommended to all Mozartians” Penguin Guide (Nos. 25, 29)

“Being a David Greilsammer disc, this is no ordinary recording of Mozart...Greilsammer’s conducting and piano playing generate a freshness and imagination that allow each of the works to be enjoyed as a dynamic interpretation in its own right.” The Telegraph, 8th November 2012 ****

“Greilsammer has dug up some little-known music, including two numbers from [Thamos] which are a real revelation...Both pieces are performed frenetically fast, and that confrontational style characterises Greilsammer's disc as a whole...All in all, a stimulating disc, though those of a nervous disposition should steer clear.” BBC Music Magazine, February 2013 ***

“his reading as a whole abounds in imaginative phrasing and spontaneous-sounding interaction with the Geneva CO, though the more extrovert passages can sound overblown...Greilsammer's playing in the finale is suitably thrilling, with dramatic interjections from the horns.” Gramophone Magazine, February 2013

“Greilsammer directs a convincing performance of No.23, making the symphony sound more powerful than I remember” MusicWeb International, March 2013

“Fischer gets his orchestra to play with fierce intensity, so that works which usually seem accomplished but conventional take on a fresh complexion.” BBC Music Magazine, April 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.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010

“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.” Gramophone Magazine