Search - Mozart: Symphonies Vol. I - Nos. 29,34,35,40,41 and Minuet K.409 on DVD

Karl Bohm was one of the great Mozart conductors.

Alan Majeska | Bad Axe, MI, USA | 08/19/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Karl Bohm (1894-1981) was one of the great Mozart conductors, and his DG recording of the complete Mozart Symphonies with the Berlin Philharmonic (DG import, 10 CDs) made in the 1960s is a classic of the grammophone, first in LP format, and since 1990, on CDs.

It is heartwarming to see Deutsche Grammophon has released 5 of Bohm's FILMED recordings of Mozart Symphonies in this DVD release, in honor of the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth (1756). Bohm was of course, authoritative in Mozart performances, and here his live recordings with the Vienna Philharmonic of Symphonies 29, 34, 35, 40 and 41 stand out as among the very best. These were all recorded live in the Musikvereinsalle, the beautiful hall of the Vienna Philharmonic also represented on DVD in Carlos Kleiber's New Years Eve concerts from Vienna (1989, 1992, DG).

The films in this DVD were made in the 1970s: both picture and sound are excellent. Bohm is an easy conductor to watch, and his conducting style does not distract or call attention to him over the musicians or the music. Indeed, Bohm SERVES Mozart, and watching him conduct the great Vienna Philharmonic is a joy from beginning to end. Bohm is more like Bruno Walter or Thomas Beecham in his conducting style: he lets the orchestra play THEIR Mozart, although there's never any doubt who is in charge on the podium. Bohm is a contrast to more extroverted conductors like Solti, Bernstein, Ozawa, Celibidache (in younger years), Stokowski, and Abbado.

I cannot recommend highly enough you get this DVD and also Volumes 2 and 3 in this series: also conducted by Bohm, if you love Mozart and love beauty.

My copy of this DVD, released in the UK, is in full screen format. Amazon advertises the US release as wide screen. My personal preference is full screen, but don't let that, or the 1970s recording dates discourage you from obtaining these great documents of western art."

Bohm & Mozart

King Lemuel | Puyallup, WA | 12/16/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have been listening to Bohm's Mozart symphonies on vinyl since the 1970s. He is one of my favorite conductors and I have enjoyed Bohm's vinyl "Beethoven Edition" DG complete symphonies as well. Thanks to Netflix, I have recently got to view the Bohm Mozart DVDs.

Besides the excellent concerts and studio versions of the Mozart Symphonies, there is a substantial Bohm documentary included. The production qualities are excellent for late 1960s to mid 70s. Bohm and the orchestra sound great (Bohm does know Mozart and how to make music).

If you are a fan of Bohm and the WPO you will enjoy these DVDs.

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