What's mozarts most popular symphony? And, performed by whom?!
Question: I'm starting to develop a collection of Mozart's music, and I want some good recordings of his symphonies. What are the more popular orchestral works by Mozart? Thanks!
Answers: I'm starting to develop a collection of Mozart's music, and I want some good recordings of his symphonies. What are the more popular orchestral works by Mozart? Thanks!
The most popular Mozart symphonies tend to be the late ones - No 35 (Haffner), No 36 (Linz), No 38 (Prague), No 39, No 40 and the great 'Jupiter' Symphony (No 41).
Malcolm usually makes good recommendations and this is no exception. However, you could also try the old set conducted by Sir Neville Marriner with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields or the splendid period-instrument one with Trevor Pinnock and the English Concert.
Of the other orchestral works, I would single out the following for investigation:
Various overtures (Marriage of Figaro, Magic Flute, Il seraglio, The Impresario, Don Giovanni)
Piano Concertos 17, 20, 21, 25 and 27
Violin Concerto No 5
Posthorn Serenade
Sinfonia Concertante for Violin and Viola
And there's always the old warhorse Eine kleine Nachtmusik but it really isn't one of his best pieces, charming as it is.
Enjoy discovering!
There is a wonderful collection of the best of the last of Mozart's Symphonies 35 - 41 by the Berlin Phil under Karl Bohm. Fabulous! Those are the ones that you should get first. By way of contrast, other good versions by Charles Mackerras and the Prague Chamber Orchestra. Sir Charles really knows his way around Mozart.
I always liked Sir Colin Davis's conducting of Mozart's 40th and 41st, but Bohm's 38 is impeccable.
Overall I believe the 40th is the most popular.