Eine
Kleine Nachtmusik
Overtures
Conductor: Walter - Columbia SO
Label: Sony Classics - Catalog: 37774
Eine
Kleine Nachtmusik
Violin Concertos 3 & 4
Conductor: Walter - Columbia SO
Label: Sony Classics - Catalog: 64468
Violin
Concertos 1-5
Conductor: Levine - Violin: Perlman
Label: DG - Catalog: 445535
Eine
Kleine Nachtmusik
Posthorn/Serenata Notturna/Haffner
Conductor: Böhm - Weiner Phil
Label: DG - Catalog: 453076
Symphonies
39-41
Conductor: Walter - New York Phil
Label: Sony - Catalog: 64477
Trying to select the essential works of Mozart is a daunting proposition. His output of music is so great and varied, no list can come close to covering the best of his works. However, there are some works that stand out from all the others. Listed are a few of my favorites. A more comprehensive list will be added in time, but here is a place to start.
The Serenade
in G, or 'Eine Kleine Nachtmusik' as it is better known,
is best served by Bruno Walter and the Columbia Symphony Orchestra.
His CD also contains several overtures from Mozart's operas. It is a wonderful
recording, but is not in print anymore. It is still available, but I am sure
it will be gone once inventory is sold. The 'Serenade' recording
has also been repackaged with the Violin Concertos 3 & 4.
The Karl
Bohm 2-CD set includes the 'Posthorn', 'Serenata
Notturna' and 'Haffner' serenades. Both are mid-price CDs.
The Complete
Violin Concertos 1-5 are performed by Perlman with Levine
conducting the Vienna PO. A budget recording of Concerts
3-4-5 on the Laserlight label is a great bargain.
Mozart's last
Symphonies 39-41 are once again performed by Walter with
the New York Philharmonic. This is a mono recording from 1953,
but has been restored magnificently. There is a reason this recording is still
around, and one listen will show you what Mozart should sound like. This recording
is part of my Essential CD Collection.
If you prefer a newer recording Bernstein will do nicely too,
a live recording from 1985.
