Midori, Imai, Eschenbach: Mozart – Sinfonia Concertante, Concerto (FLAC)

Orchestra: NDR Symphony Orchestra, NDR Orchestra
Conductor: Christoph Eschenbach
Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Audio CD
Number of Discs: 1
Format: FLAC (image+cue)
Label: Sony
Size: 258 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes

01. Sinfonia Concertante in E-flat Major for Violin, Viola and Orchestra, K.364/320d/I. Allegro maestoso
02. Sinfonia Concertante in E-flat Major for Violin, Viola and Orchestra, K.364/320d/II. Andante
03. Sinfonia Concertante in E-flat Major for Violin, Viola and Orchestra, K.364/320d/III. Presto

04. Concerto in D for Violin, Piano and Orchestra, K.Anh.56 (315f)/I. Allegro
05. Concerto in D for Violin, Piano and Orchestra, K.Anh.56 (315f)/II. Andantino cantabile
06. Concerto in D for Violin, Piano and Orchestra, K.Anh.56 (315f)/III. Allegretto

Genteel and Dignified Performances

The ‘Sinfonia Concertante in E-flat Major, K 364/320D’ is one of those refined works that is so well written that it exudes genius. Composed for violin, viola, and orchestra the work is a conversation with the two instruments with a beautifully woven tapestry of comment for the orchestra. Violinist Midori and violist Nobuko Imai are not only well paired in technique and virtuosity, they find a compatibility of discourse that is refreshingly fine. Christoph Eschenbach conducts the Norddeutscher Rundfunk Sinfonieorchester with grace and sensitive collaboration. The work is a complete success.

The Philip Wilby reconstruction of the accompanying concerto for violin and piano is a fine little piece, if not in the same realm as the Sinfonia Concertante. The performance of this uneven work makes up for the inconsistencies that arise when sonatas are adapted for orchestra. Midori again focuses on her pliant, clear technique and is matched by Christoph Eschenbach’s piano role as well as his conducting. It is a minor work played in a major manner. The recorded sound is clean and resonant and the CD is well worth placing in every Mozart lover’s library. Grady Harp