Mozart: Complete Violin Concertos
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W. A. MOZART
Mozart: Complete Violin Concertos
Isabelle Faust (violin) / Il Giardino Armonico, Giovanni Antonini
[ Harmonia Mundi / 2 CD ]
Release Date: Sunday 20 November 2016
The five most brilliant concertos for violin, all penned before the age of 19! Mozart was not even 15 years old when he began composing violin concertos that would serve as a backdrop at Salzburg receptions. An insatiable drive for independence would however lead the young Konzertmeister to overtly challenge musical forms, innovate with genres, humour and frivolity, all of which can be heard in this delightful first collaboration between Isabelle Faust and the musicians of Il Giardino Armonico.
"remarkably smooth and sweet toned playing … the 'Turkish' episode…is splendidly done, its snarling crescendos well-handled by Giovanni Antonini and Il Giardino Armonico, and the percussive bow-slapping of the double basses adding to the flavour. The cadenzas by Andreas Staier are stylish and inventive." BBC Music Award Finalist 2018 - Concerto
"Antonini conducts, but the music seems to be led from everywhere. Meanwhile, Faust's touch is light, finespun, pristine - often her bow hardly glosses the strings, but there's proper robustness to balance in the chunky, sparky cadenzas." The Guardian, 20th October 2016 ****
"Faust's spirited tempi in the outer movements of K218 and K219 bring this music as vividly to life as any recording I know, and her sweet singing tone in the andantes and adagio give full expressive value. Lively accompaniments from the Italians." Sunday Times, 6th November 2016
"The most critical thing is the match between Isabelle Faust and her gut strung Strad and the orchestra; they fit beautifully, she seems almost airborne at times, so light and airy is the sound … everything is so well balanced, soloist with ensemble, cadenzas with original Mozart, the speeds and rhythmic drive of the outer movements with the delicacy and fine sprung lyricism of Mozart's middle movements." Record Review, 5th November 2016
"Faust fields a delicate palette of colours, barely touching the strings at times, so airy is her playing. The freedoms she allows herself are well judged and matched by Il Giardino Armonico, conducted by Giovanni Antonini." Financial Times, 18th November 2016
"These wonderful performances have the air of chamber music, of close listening between soloist, band and director. Faust isn't spotlit…but seems part of the ensemble, her sound growing out of the corporate entity to glitter, coax, snarl and soar as required…[a] thought-provoking and eminently enjoyable cycle" Gramophone Award WINNER 2017 - Concerto
Gramophone Award WINNER 2017 - RECORDING OF THE YEAR
Tracks:
Violin Concertos Nos. 1-5 (Complete)
Rondo for Violin and Orchestra in B flat, K269
Rondo for Violin and Orchestra in C, K373
Adagio for Violin and Orchestra in E, K261
