Mozart: Violinkonzert No. 4, Haydn / Rosbaud

On this CD:

1. Violin Concerto No. 4 in D major, K. 218
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performed by Wolfgang Schneiderhan

2. Symphony No. 92 in G major ("Oxford"/"Letter Q"), H. 1/92
Composed by Franz Joseph Haydn
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

3. Symphony No. 104 in D major ("London"), H. 1/104
Composed by Franz Joseph Haydn
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Here is a wonderful bargain, three major works in fine mono sound led by one of the greatest conductors of the 20th century. Hans Rosbaud was probably best known for his pioneering work with contemporary composers from Stravinsky to Ligeti. But he was a superb conductor of the classical repertoire as well. Here he performs the improbable task of getting the mighty Berlin Philharmonic to play Haydn and Mozart with the kind of clarity and attention to detail we have come to expect from period instrument groups, and with more expression than we usually get from those ensembles. Wolfgang Schneiderhan, an unjustly neglected violinist, plays very stylish Mozart as well. Highest recommendation! --Leslie Gerber

Tracks:

Konzert fur Violine und Orchester Nr. 4 D-dur KV 218: I. Allegro
Konzert fur Violine und Orchester Nr. 4 D-dur KV 218: II. Andante cantabile
Konzert fur Violine und Orchester Nr. 4 D-dur KV 218: III. Rondeau. Andante grazioso - Allegro ma non troppo
Symphonie G-dur Hob. I:92': I. Adagio - Allegro spiritoso
Symphonie G-dur Hob. I:92 'Oxford': II. Adagio
Symphonie G-dur Hob. I:92 'Oxford': III. Menuet. Allegretto
Symphonie G-dur Hob. I:92 'Oxford': IV. Finale. Presto
Symphonie D-dur Hob. I: 104 'Londoner Symphonie' In D Major: I. Adagio - Allegro
Symphonie D-dur Hob. I: 104 'Londoner Symphonie' In D Major: II. Andante
Symphonie D-dur Hob. I: 104 'Londoner Symphonie' In D Major: III. Menuet. Allegro - Trio - Menuet
Symphonie D-dur Hob. I: 104 'Londoner Symphonie' In D Major: IV. Finale. Spiritoso

Amazon.com

Here is a wonderful bargain, three major works in fine mono sound led by one of the greatest conductors of the 20th century. Hans Rosbaud was probably best known for his pioneering work with contemporary composers from Stravinsky to Ligeti. But he was a superb conductor of the classical repertoire as well. Here he performs the improbable task of getting the mighty Berlin Philharmonic to play Haydn and Mozart with the kind of clarity and attention to detail we have come to expect from period instrument groups, and with more expression than we usually get from those ensembles. Wolfgang Schneiderhan, an unjustly neglected violinist, plays very stylish Mozart as well. Highest recommendation! --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

An inspired, legendary and unsurpassable Oxford! .......2005-08-31

Despite the elapsed years, the figure of Hans Rosbaud, considered in the past as a dismissed conductor, luckily, has been disappearing. His status has nothing to do with the enigmatic neglect of considerable sector of the great audiences. This CD contains remarkable evidences that support this statement, as we will see.
Wolfang Schneiderhan is -undeniably - one of the master violinists in Mozart. His intonation is extremely evocative, his phrasing has that naïf touch so lovable in these works. Mozart doesn't demand fierceness but delicacy and slender elegance and finesse. The Fourth Concerto is one the most relevant examples of superb musicality and austere sobriety. Rosbaud makes the accompaniment as he was doing a careful filigree labor.
When you listen the Oxford you will remain astonished for a long time. In my opinion we are in front of the Oxford per excellence. There are three memorable versions in the market: scherchen - Vienna Symphony the fifties, Bernstein -Vienna Philharmonic of 1971 in a very hard to get edition celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Orchestra and a fabulous performance of Colin Davis and the Concertgebouw of Amsterdam.
This Oxford has flexibility, rapture, musculature and expansiveness. The Berlin Philharmonic in 1957 is in very good shape. Consider the fact Wilhelm Fürtwangler just had died here years ago, the Orchestra still conserved the Fürtwanglerian sound, because Ferenc Fricsay the legitimate and worthy successor of Wilhelm.Noblesse and poetry; humor and expression; fantasy and nerve; the voices within the supreme orchestra around the world is an overwhelming experience. Rosbaud conferred vigor, dynamism and joyous frenzy. The Final movement is simply perfect, filled with Dionysian inspiration.
The London is admirable, but there are better than one: until now I have not listened a successful performance that even gets close to the legendary version of Charles Munch with the Boston Symphony in the fifties; Scherchen -Vienna Symphony is a good choice too. Ii insist this is not a bad performance but Munch broke the limits of the excellence, establishing an abysmal handicap respect the others musical readings.

A reissue including two of the greatest Haydn readings ever........1998-10-27

The awful U.S.Decca lp pressings could not tarnish these great Rosbaud performances.He combined a laserlike ability to clarify the score with tremendous grace,energy, and feeling.Try the third movement trio and the fourth movement coda of 104- both of which have always struck me as Haydn's poignant farewells to the symphony-for examples of this rare combination of conducting skills. The Mozart was originally coupled in the U.S. with a WS/BPO Mozart 5th concerto conducted by Ferdinand Leitner. The #4 is very fine, especially in a quite bouyant third movement. I can enjoy the rest, but would like a slightly quicker first movement. Rivals: Szell/Cleveland/Sony in 92 and both Jochum(DGG) and Colin Davis (Philips)in 104. Grumiaux/Davis (Philips) are a bit livelier in the first movement of the Mozart. Summing up: this is a desert island disc

Music Track:

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