Gramophone's Top Choice: Mackerras's Mozart
Find out why Gramophone named Sir Charles Mackerras's recording of Symphony No. 40 as its top choice
At the weekend The Sunday Times chose Francesco Piemontesi's new Mozart recording with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Andrew Manze as its Album of the Week. Reviewer Hugh Canning wrote: "Piemontesi ... establishes himself as a peerless Mozartian stylist of the younger generation, while Manze upholds the SCO’s gold standard in Mozart."
This is the latest glowing review for Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 19 & 27, Rondo K. 386, which has received a wealth of excellent reviews since its release including a further two Album of the Week accolades from Classic FM and BBC Radio Scotland 'Classics Unwrapped'. Here is a selection:
5* "The moment this music bursts into action there is a charged brilliance that never dims ... There’s simply never a dull moment." The Scotsman
5* "Francesco Piemontesi, an absolute master of the art that conceals art, playing the notes with such easy grace and limpid flow that he almost seems to be improvising." The Times
4* "The young Italian pianist pairs the cheerful with the more reflective in an enjoyable album ... it makes just as enjoyable a disc as its predecessor." The Financial Times
"Piemontesi’s understated approach is a delight – the phrasing and articulation is clear and precise and musical." BBC Radio 3 ‘Record Review’
"... a perfect showcase for the balance that Manze achieves between this ensemble and the pianist, with the dialogue between the soloist and the SCO winds is constantly captivating." The Herald
"Lithe and spirited, the SCO players make excellent companions for their Swiss soloist, a performer in total, joyful command of his material ..." The Observer
"... a fine new recording ... Piemontesi makes a great team with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra who are renowned for their Mozart performances." RTE Lyric FM 'Sound Out'