Search - Anne-Sophie Mutter - Mozart Violin Concertos, Sonatas, and Trios on DVD

Glamour meets genius

Mike Birman | Brooklyn, New York USA | 10/14/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This five DVD set of much of Mozart's violin music was originally meant to be released a year ago. The delay may have been due to the subsequent divorce between Mutter and Andre Previn. The music contained herein has been available for some time on CD. Mozart's Violin Concertos are well represented by splendid performances. Gidon Kremer's 2 DVD collection of the Concertos plus the superb Sinfonia Concertante, backed by the Vienna Philharmonic under Nikolaus Harnoncourt, is quite good. Mutter plays them with aggressive panache, conducting the Camerata Salzburg (they are not listed on the front) with an occasional movement of her bow and head. The Camerata play for dear life: failure when you're making a high profile film with a glamorous star is not an option. In an interview that's part of the making-of documentary which is a bonus on this disc, the principle leader of the Camerata, the talented Natalie Chee, poignantly describes observing Mutter's celebrity lifestyle. Chee discusses watching Mutter's 'people' take care of her needs, dressing her, sheltering her from normal life, as in a modern Fairy Tale. This dichotomy between a star and her back-up musicians is evident in the film. Mutter's lighting appears digitally enhanced, with a glow that causes her body to shimmer slightly as if embedded in a halo. The film of the Violin Concertos, directed by Andy Sommer, is shot in high definition and looks splendid. Sound in PCM stereo and DTS 5.0 is exemplary.

The performances of three of Mozart's superb but seldom heard Trios, K. 502, 542 and 548, are good, but might have been better with additional rehearsal (listen to the Florestan Trio for an example of a well thought-out performance). Mr. Previn and Ms. Mutter appear ill-at-ease. Mutter is quite attractive in black pants and an orange, low-cut blouse. Clothes seem important in these films. The Concertos had Mutter in that impossibly slinky blue/black dress, bordering on sexy kitsch. The film of Mozart's Violin Sonatas has her in a similarly designed, gold colored number. Forgive a music lover for asking: what's this about? (As if I didn't know). As for the music, the Violin Sonatas are the best performances of the set. It is obvious that Mutter and Orkis have a lengthy performance history. Their playing is nearly preternatural. This is a complete performance of Mozart's late Violin Sonatas and it is superb. Mutter's playing is fiery and probing. She's searching for the heart of this music. Her technique is splendid, a real joy to watch. We are treated to an example of the excellence that Mutter's reputation as a musician (and not a glamorous star) rests upon. Exemplary performances in all respects, with Lambert Orkis showing why he is one of the finest piano accompanists. Both films are beautifully filmed in high-definition and sound splendid in PCM stereo and DTS 5.0. Total length of the set is 475 minutes with 40 minutes of bonus material.

This box set contains slightly unequal performances. The finest are the Violin Sonatas. If you only want to sample this collection, I recommend you try the Sonatas, separately, for they are splendid. Mutter's fans will probably want the entire set because there is much here to enjoy. The caveat remains the occasionally obtrusive glamour.

Mike Birman"

Mutter...always good

James T. Heuring | Seattle, Wa | 01/02/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am a violin player learning technique.

Anne's technique is superb. It is a joy to watch her play because each bow stroke seems to be beautifully designed for each note she is playing.

The camera work is good.
"

Very good music, yet, terrible camera works like HGTV

I. Messori | 02/24/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have enjoyed listening Mutter world and learned a lot of techniques. I have listened her live recital of all Mozart sonatas. I was deeply impressed by her unique phasing, techniques and also cloths.
However, I was feeling dizzy during watching the DVDs because terrible camera work, which is changing scenes a lot and so quickly like HGTV.
Finally, I gave up to watch them, just listen them. We haven't seen a lot of scene changes for short time at any concert. Please calm down.
Anyhow, I don't like the camera works at all!! It is not like music concert at all!!
Someone, please let me know whether or not other Grammophon DVDs are all same for future purchase."