Mozart in Period Performances (HIP)

[DarkAngel]

I'm also keeping my eye on the Brautigam Mozart PC recordings - I've heard a few things on YouTube that sounded absolutely fantastic, with the fortepiano placed in the middle of the orchestra for an exceptional balance.

I will not hesitate even for a micro second to purchase any Mozart keyboard concerto CDs  by Brautigam......

I like that balance between forte piano and orchestra for Brautigam even if keyboard has sound level boosted from what an audience in larger hall might hear.....a conductors perspective of keyboard, you hear more keyboard detail than in Bilson's CDs

[Gurn Blanston]

1-4 is on one disc, 15 and 26 on another.

Thanks, Don. Guess I'll have to hunt some more...

[Elgarian]

Without replying to anyone in particular, I'd just like to clarify that my comments about the Sofronitzki recordings are not based on any assumed philosophy of what might or might not be authentic (I don't know enough to say, though I assume that she and her chums know enough to have given it a fair shot according to their own lights); no, my comments are based entirely on the fact that the music seems to be inspired and often on fire. If I can close my eyes and almost believe that Mozart's in the room, then that's authentic enough for me.

As for the highlighting of the fortepiano (which is vividly up close, indeed): as people have commented already, it just sounds as if I've got a privileged front row seat, and that's fine by me!

[Franco]

Bizarre to cancel a cycle so close to completion!

Levin has made a bunch of recordings with Kim Kashkashian - which is fine (are they a couple or something?) - I have several of these recordings and they are very good.  But, you're right, I wish he'd have continued with the Mozart PC.

[Franco]

I just checked Arkiv and they make all of the Levin Mozart PC available for $16.99 a disc - there seems to be an almost complete set:

Mozart: Piano Concerto No 1-4 / Levin, Hogwood, Et Al
Mozart: Piano Concertos K 271 & K 414 / Levin, Hogwood
Mozart: Piano Concertos K413 & K415, Rondo K386 / Levin
Mozart: Piano Concertos No 15 & 26 / Levin, Hogwood
Mozart: Piano Concertos No 17 & 20 / Levin, Hogwood
Mozart: Piano Concertos No 22 & 23 / Levin, Hogwood
Mozart: Piano Concertos No 5, 14, 16 / Levin, Hogwood, Et Al

I've got two of these (bolded), but I've never bought any of the Arkiv CD reissues - are they worthwhile?

[DarkAngel]

I just checked Arkiv and they make all of the Levin Mozart PC available for $16.99 a disc - there seems to be an almost complete set:

Mozart: Piano Concerto No 1-4 / Levin, Hogwood, Et Al
Mozart: Piano Concertos K 271 & K 414 / Levin, Hogwood
Mozart: Piano Concertos K413 & K415, Rondo K386 / Levin
Mozart: Piano Concertos No 15 & 26 / Levin, Hogwood
Mozart: Piano Concertos No 17 & 20 / Levin, Hogwood
Mozart: Piano Concertos No 22 & 23 / Levin, Hogwood
Mozart: Piano Concertos No 5, 14, 16 / Levin, Hogwood, Et Al

I've got two of these (bolded), but I've never bought any of the Arkiv CD reissues - are they worthwhile?

Current Arkiv re-issues have all original artwork and full booklet, even CD label is original artwork.
Only difference is disc is CDR and not manufactured CD.

Price is high for a copy, but where else can you go...............

[Bulldog]

Current Arkiv re-issues have all original artwork and full booklet, even CD label is original artwork.
Only difference is disc is CDR and not manufactured CD.

Price is high for a copy, but where else can you go...............

I've had CDR's for a few years now.  Not one of them has gone bad.  I can't even make that claim for manufactured CD's.

[SonicMan46]

The only complete HIP set I have is Bilson/Gardiner, and I haven't felt any need for purchasing another yet. Perhaps if René Jacobs decided to record them...!

Well, I need to join this thread, so will respond to Gabriel's post - I also own the Bilson-Gardiner box, and I must say that the occasional complaint about the fortepiano being too much in the background is a consideration; I need to 'turn up' my volume to better appreciate these recordings; but seems to be a varied opinion - 

Now I've looked for a good deal on the Sofronitzki box set for a while but w/ no luck - listed at $112 or so on Amazon (but NOT available); just checked Borders - $90 - not bad but my last attempt to get a box from them failed, so unlikely to even give them my business anymore!

Lookin' forward to further posts - 

[DavidW]

Now I've looked for a good deal on the Sofronitzki box set for a while but w/ no luck - listed at $112 or so on Amazon (but NOT available); just checked Borders - $90 - not bad but my last attempt to get a box from them failed, so unlikely to even give them my business anymore!

That's why I bought the Immerseel box, it's available and was only $50 shipped (plus I liked what I heard on youtube).

[Elgarian]

I've looked for a good deal on the Sofronitzki box set for a while but w/ no luck - listed at $112 or so on Amazon (but NOT available)

jpc are offering the Sofronitzki box for just under 80 euros at present (cheaper then when I bought mine) - see here:

http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/lang/en/currency/EUR/hnum/9591574/art_hex/576f6c6667616e672d416d61646575732d4d6f7a6172742d53e46d746c696368652d4b6c61766965726b6f6e7a65727465

(They also offer an audio sample of every track on every CD, so you can spend a long time deciding if it's what you want!)

[Franco]

I don't know anything about this - but it's the vendor given on Viviana Sofronitsky's website for buying her Mozart PC set.

A bit odd, but I may send an email just to get details of price, etc.

[Marc]

[....]
Price is high for a copy, but where else can you go...............

Libraries?

Thanks to them, I managed to get a copy of quite a few OOP issues during the years. Borrowing a disc for one week for a price between € 1,50 and € 2,50 (depending if they had it in their very own catalogue or not).

BTW: in the merry month of May at jpc, Van Immerseel's box set for € 30,--!
http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/Wolfgang-Amadeus-Mozart-21-Klavierkonzerte/hnum/4476423

[Franco]

Libraries?

Thanks to them, I managed to get a copy of quite a few OOP issues during the years. Borrowing a disc for one week for a price between € 1,50 and € 2,50 (depending if they had it in their very own catalogue or not).

My local public library does not have a huge classical music collection, it's decent, but does not have these particular recordings, nor many other performers doing Mozart PC - and they do not do inter-library loans for recorded media.  But on the upside, there is no charge to borrow any material from the library.

[DavidRoss]

The only complete HIP set I have is Bilson/Gardiner, and I haven't felt any need for purchasing another yet. Perhaps if René Jacobs decided to record them...!

And the only one I have is Immerseel, which falls far short for me of my faves with modern piano.  But were Jacobs to record these, or Minkowski (and presuming a suitable pianist were involved!), I would scarcely hesitate.

[Franco]

I don't know anything about this - but it's the vendor given on Viviana Sofronitsky's website for buying her Mozart PC set.

A bit odd, but I may send an email just to get details of price, etc.

Got a reply to my email - price is $69 + $10 shipping - via check on US bank. 

This is a better price than anything I've seen elsewhere - my concern is mailing a check off to an unknown European vendor.   

I will mull some more.

[SonicMan46]

Got a reply to my email - price is $69 + $10 shipping - via check on US bank. 
This is a better price than anything I've seen elsewhere - my concern is mailing a check off to an unknown European vendor.   
I will mull some more.

Franco et al - well, I also sent an e-mail to EuroMusica in the Czech Republic and shortly received the response quoted below, i.e. the entire 'box set' of Viviana Sofronitsky delivered to my door for $60 - now I cannot complained about the offering, but.....

I've not responded about the payment options - the e-mail was from 'euromusic.cz' and I assume that it is legitimate but just not sure?  I'm sure w/ a response that a 'mailed check' (or similar option) would be requested; would I get a choice of a credit card w/ a secured server?  Not sure - at the moment, I can find this box set for close to $100 or more at other sites (and many say a 'waiting period'), so a BIG difference - really would love to hear these recordings!

Any advice, additional options, etc. - thanks all - Dave 

Dear Dave,

Thank you for your message & your interest in the Mozart Piano Concertos boxset!

As far as the prices are concerned, I know that some retailers might have higher prices on this excluxive set. Based on that it is a limited edition, we could offer a special price for you : $50 + shipping = $60.

Please let me know if this is OK.

Thanks!

Andrei

[Franco]

I'm miffed that you got a much better price than I did.  What did you say in your email to extract this offer?

[DavidW]

I'm miffed that you got a much better price than I did.  What did you say in your email to extract this offer?

Hey it might have been you, you know?   You weren't quick to jump on the offer, so maybe for the next person they decided to offer it at a lower price.

[SonicMan46]

I'm miffed that you got a much better price than I did.  What did you say in your email to extract this offer?

Franco & David - well nothing special (below is the quoted e-mail that I sent them); not sure that David is right or that we are even communicating w/ the same people?  I'm not really sure that this is the real web site for the company or a fake?  Despite a great offer, I'm quite reluctant to pursue their offer - nothing against the Czech Republic and wanting to do business w/ them, but more afraid of a fraud website?  But I'm a computer paranoiac, so my problem, I guess - thanks for the input - Dave 

Hello,

I ' m trying to find a ' good price ' on the Viviana Sofronitsky box set of the Mozart Piano Concertos - many sites neither have the set or are asking an excessive amount!

Thus, I was wondering about your costs, i.e. what would be the price to me in US dollars (both product & shipping/handling) to ship to North Carolina (east coast USA )?

Thanks for any information - name deleted

[Marc]

My local public library does not have a huge classical music collection, it's decent, but does not have these particular recordings, nor many other performers doing Mozart PC - and they do not do inter-library loans for recorded media.  But on the upside, there is no charge to borrow any material from the library.

Pity about the impossibility of inter-library loans. Yes, I do have to pay some, but I can get books & discs from (almost) any library in the country (Netherlands). Although for discs it's mainly the central phonothèque in Rotterdam.