Search - Mozart: Clarinet Concerto - Symphony No. 25 on DVD

Bernstein and the Vienna Philharmonic

J Scott Morrison | Middlebury VT, USA | 12/04/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Leonard Bernstein and the Vienna Philharmonic had a mutual admiration society; he loved to conduct him just as they loved having him whenever he could come to Vienna. Add Mozart to the mix, and add the incandescent playing of VPO principal clarinetist, Peter Schmidl, and you have a well-nigh impossible-to-match combination.

This DVD was compiled from two sets of concerts Bernstein conducted. The Clarinet Concerto, K622, was recorded at the Konzerthaus on 1-2 September 1987; the Mozart Symphony No. 25 in G Minor, K183, at the Grosser Musikvereinsaal on 1-4 October 1988. The great music video director Humphrey Burton was in charge of the TV production. The performance of the clarinet concerto by Schmidl, Bernstein and the VPO has been available on CD before but this is its first time on DVD.

Surely the Mozart Clarinet Concerto is one of the glories of Mozart's output and it is certainly the greatest clarinet concerto in existence. Peter Schmidl, principal clarinetist of the VPO since 1965, is the son and the grandson of former VPO principal clarinetists. He has unquestionably been one of the finest players in recent memory, particularly remembered for his contributions to the VPO's recorded history as well as in countless chamber music recordings. The suavity of his tone, the flawless technique and, above all, his innate musicality make this performance a joy. I was so struck by the beauty of the middle movement with its velvety pianissimo legatos that I had to repeat it before I could go on to the symphony also contained on the DVD. The outer movements are filled with technical audacity and a feeling of great joy.

Mozart's Symphony No. 25 in G Minor is sometimes not considered one of his greatest -- many say the No. 29 is the first 'great' Mozart symphony --- but Bernstein and the VPO make a very good case for it. The work is a product of his late teens, written in 1773, and is his first symphony in a minor key. The big Sturm-und-Drang first movement is given heft and importance; the andante brings a welcome relaxation of tension. The minuet is sprightly and graceful even though back in a minor key. The finale is taken at a less breathless pace than one often hears and is the more imposing for that. This is a lovely performance.

Bernstein is not often remembered as a great Mozart conductor, as for instance he was with Haydn, but these are terrific performances, aided of course by the marvelous playing of Schmidl and the VPO. Videography is fine; Burton knows what he's doing, as always. Sound is PCM Stereo or DTS 5.1. Region Code 0 (worldwide). TT=60mins.

Recommended.

Scott Morrison
"