Charles Mackerras' mid-'80s Telarc recordings of Mozart symphonies with the Prague Chamber Orchestra were smart, stylish, and notable for their rhythmic drive and formal verve. Being 20 years older, and thus over the age of 80, clearly hasn't slowed Mackerras as heard in these 2008 Linn recordings with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. They have the same drive and verve as his earlier work, but his vision now seems clearer and more radiant than before. The Scottish musicians play with a tight but relaxed ensemble, a bright ...
Read More
Charles Mackerras' mid-'80s Telarc recordings of Mozart symphonies with the Prague Chamber Orchestra were smart, stylish, and notable for their rhythmic drive and formal verve. Being 20 years older, and thus over the age of 80, clearly hasn't slowed Mackerras as heard in these 2008 Linn recordings with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. They have the same drive and verve as his earlier work, but his vision now seems clearer and more radiant than before. The Scottish musicians play with a tight but relaxed ensemble, a bright but subtle tone, and an obvious affection for the man leading them; they seem to be singing more than playing the scores. With them as his instrument, Mackerras' conducting is more lyrical than before, bringing out inner lines and transforming them into true themes, but without losing any of his earlier propensity for dramatic urgency. This is fortunate because Mackerras has opted to take both the exposition and the development repeats, and so most movements now last 30 to 40 percent...
Read Less
Portions of content provided by Rovi Corporation. © 2024 Rovi Corporation.