Brendel, Marriner - Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos 12 & 17 (1970, 2016) [Official Digital Download] **[RE-UP]**

Here is another gem from PENTATONE's marvellous series of 'Remastered Classics ' in which classic performances from the 1970s, originally recorded in 4-channel quadraphonic sound, are given a new lease of life on SACD and match, or even sometimes exceed in naturalness, many recordings made today.

Alfred Brendel's celebrated cycle of Mozart Piano Concertos, in which he was partnered by the accomplished Academy of St. Martin in the Fields conducted by Neville Marriner, needs no introduction as Brendel's incomparable performances of these works have enriched first the LP and then the CD catalogues for over forty years.

In spite of the increasing trend towards period performances of these concertos that often use a fortepiano rather than a modern concert instrument, Brendel's accounts will still remain hors concours for many listeners. Tempi in both works are relaxed, but never slack and played with winning naturalness that brings instant appeal.

It need hardly be said that there is never a trace of routine in Brendel's finely wrought performances and the accounts of both concertos on this SACD show him at his incomparable best. The early A major Concerto K414 of 1782 is often performed with an accompaniment of strings alone though here Marriner opts for the optional oboes and horns included in the score. Brendel delivers the Concerto with a disarming grace and poise that hides his intellectual perceptiveness of what lies behind the notes. Throughout, the lines are marvellously etched with crisp articulation, while Marriner, as always provides alert and stylish support. Brendel's account of the grander G major Concerto K453 is equally fine. Here one marvels at the depth of expression and drama Brendel achieves in the profound central Andante, while his immaculate exchanges with the stylish wind solos of the ASMF in the outer movements of the concerto could hardly be improved upon.

Unlike many recordings that place the soloist in the limelight, the piano is beautifully integrated with the supportive accompaniment from Marriner and the ASMF. The remastering of the original Philips recording made in Wembley Town Hall in September 1970 is all one could ask for while the surround channels enhance the spacious acoustic with a pleasing bloom.

The inclusion in the liner notes of a photograph of Brendel and Marriner at a recording session from the period is a tribute to the longevity of these two superb artists, while the illustration of a starling on the cover reminds us that the tune of the finale of K453 was, to Mozart's delight, learnt by a pet starling that the composer had bought shortly after he had completed this work – a nice touch.

This disc provides 51 minutes of unalloyed pleasure and can be wholeheartedly recommended.

Austrian pianist Alfred Brendel is one of the most important exponents of the German-Viennese classic and romantic traditions, whose intellectual rigour and poetic spirit has enriched the public for more than 60 years. The main focus throughout his extensive concert and recording career has been on interpreting Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann and Brahms.

Being one of the founding fathers of the German-Viennese classical tradition, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s contribution to music history speaks for itself. More specifically, one of his greatest achievements in composition is the piano concerto. While improvising and experimenting from the keyboard, he masterly combined instrumental and operatic styles. This interaction between instrumental and operatic elements can particularly be heard in the last movement of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 17, which on this album is coupled with his Piano Concerto No. 12.

This latest release in PENTATONE’s Remastered Classics series presents a 1970 Philips Classics recording of the two piano concertos in a performance by Alfred Brendel, with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields conducted by Sir Neville Marriner. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Alfred Brendel, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields and Sir Neville Marriner. It doesn’t get much better than that.


Tracklist:

01. Piano Concerto No. 12 in A, K. 414 - Allegro
02. Piano Concerto No. 12 in A, K. 414 - Andante
03. Piano Concerto No. 12 in A, K. 414 - Rondo (Allegretto)
04. Piano Concerto No. 17 in G, K. 453 - Allegro
05. Piano Concerto No. 17 in G, K. 453 - Andante
06. Piano Concerto No. 17 in G, K. 453 - Allegretto




Alfred Brendel (piano)
Academy of St.Martin-in-the-Fields
Sir Neville Marriner (conductor)