Mozart PC's 12, 13 redux

[Rach3]

Just received the 1983 released Decca studio cd of Ashkenazy playing , and conducting the Philharmonia, in 1980-81, in Mozart PC’s 12,13 ( K.414, 415 ) ; great recording . # 12 can stand with the Mona Lisa and the Venus d’Milo , the PC to be appreciated with a fine Meursault and good soft cheese. I may prefer the slow mov. of # 13 to the more famous slow mov. of another of his C major PC’s, # 21 ( K.467 ).

Clara Haskill in # 13 , DGG lp, 1961,Lucerne Festival Strings, Rudolf Baumgartner :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eOJjGX ... -55c&t=443

Ashkenazy , live with Royal Philharmonic in # 12 , I believe a couple years after the Decca recording (?) :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2pa9WmJ-78

[RebLem]

My favorite Mozart Piano Concerto slow movement is the one from # 17, K. 453. Either Casadesus/Szell or P. Serkin/Schneider. I've never thought about eats to go with it, but now that you mention it, some creamy tomato soup with some milk in it, a few crackers with a sharp cheddar cheese spread, and some diet ginger ale would be nice. No wine. Too heavy for Mozart.

[Rach3]

My favorite Mozart Piano Concerto slow movement is the one from # 17, K. 453.

Quite agree, a wonderful slow , " better " than the K.415 or 467 slows, good as K.415,467 are. My recording of # 17 ( may have another I've forgotten ) is Richard Goode with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra on a Nonesuch lp : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehZd4qLDb2c


Hard to pick a fav, but if had to, probably top of my list would be the slow movs. of K.271 ( # 9 ) and K.595 ( # 27 ), the latter if I get just one.

I think you'd find a Meursault works with Mozart ( as I agree does also your tomato soup, cheese and crackers, although with ginger ale ? ).

[John F]

When played with feeling, as with Artur Schnabel, Rudolf Serkin, and Clifford Curzon, the slow movement of K. 595 is some of the most moving music I know. When played by the HIP types, well, you know what I was going to say. Here's Curzon in the Decca recording with Benjamin Britten:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEiH-EWbD2Q

I heard him play the concerto in Nürnberg and was so deeply moved that I had to find the green room and thank him, something I'm normally too shy to do. (He graciously thanked me.) Then we had to wait until after his death for a recording to appear. He had rejected Decca recordings with George Szell, Istvan Kertesz, and Britten, but I can't imagine why, and thank heaven Decca finally issued this.

[Rach3]

When played with feeling, as with Artur Schnabel, Rudolf Serkin, and Clifford Curzon, the slow movement of K. 595 is some of the most moving music I know.

Hear also 1950's Backhaus with Bohm : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xymqTGst2nU

[Rach3]

Here's Curzon in the Decca recording with Benjamin Britten:

Agreed, very fine. A story about Curzon allegedly told by Daniel Barenboim:

Barenboim ( presumably in his youth) shared an English railway compartment with
Curzon ( rather by chance I believe ) , both headed to London.Barenboim
had been on the road about 6 weeks, Curzon for the weekend.Barenboim
had one suitcase, Curzon six.The train was forced to stop at a
station, and all were ordered off, because of an IRA bomb threat.There
was much pandemonium among the passengers as they hurried off, but
once on the platform Barenboim looked back and saw Curzon lower their compartment window,stick his head
out, and call " Porter, Porter".

[Rach3]

I received today the EMI " debut " cd of a 1997 recording released in 1998 by the Henschel Quartet with pianist Patrick Dechorgnat, of K.413,414,and 415 ( Nos.11-13 ).Very fine playing and enjoyable in the quartet format, although Ashkenzy , in the 80's Decca of 414 and 415 in the orchestra version in the OP here, is the more nuanced, polished pianist. Glad I have both . For me , of the early PC's, Nos. 2 ( for its slow mov. even though not completely Mozart ), 9, 10 ( 2-piano), 12,13,17, 19 are the " pre-20's" to have.

[John F]

I'm very fond of no. 14, more than no. 13, especially the finale. Brendel's recording with Marriner is one of his best; his earlier version for Vanguard with Antonio Janigro is good too but not as pointed and the orchestra (I Solisti di Zagreb) is too soft relative to the piano.

[barney]

When played with feeling, as with Artur Schnabel, Rudolf Serkin, and Clifford Curzon, the slow movement of K. 595 is some of the most moving music I know. When played by the HIP types, well, you know what I was going to say. Here's Curzon in the Decca recording with Benjamin Britten:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEiH-EWbD2Q

I heard him play the concerto in Nürnberg and was so deeply moved that I had to find the green room and thank him, something I'm normally too shy to do. (He graciously thanked me.) Then we had to wait until after his death for a recording to appear. He had rejected Decca recordings with George Szell, Istvan Kertesz, and Britten, but I can't imagine why, and thank heaven Decca finally issued this.

For me this recording is one of the ATGs (all-time greats).Along with the Emil Gilels accompanied by the double piano concerto with his daughter, and a couple of others. I haven't played either for ages. I'll be looking them out.