PETER SCHMIDL, WIENER PHILHARM

Mozart: The last three symphonies
Recorded live in Rotterdam (de Doelen), Netherlands, on 4 March 2010.
Symphony No. 39 in E flat major, K543
Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K550
Symphony No. 41 in C major, K551 'Jupiter'
Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century, Frans Brüggen

More than three decades have elapsed since Frans Brüggen set down his earlier visions of Mozart's symphonies with his Orchestra of the 18th Century. Now, he has chosen to release his new views of these contrasting yet complementary works as part of his Grand Tour on Glossa. The Dutch maestro and his band have regularly engaged with the music of the Salzburg genius and the symphonies have frequently appeared in their concert schedules. If the precise, original performing locations for these symphonies remain elusive, the three works: 'Jupiter', K551, the E flat major, K543, and that “evergreen study in the key of G minor”, K550, known by people all around the world as 'Mozart 40', all clamour for constant and fresh interpretations and these are precisely what Frans Brüggen delivers. Recordings on Glossa from Brüggen in recent times – always whilst on tour – have included Mozart’s concertos for horn, clarinet and violin, as well as the Requiem.

With Stefano Russomanno providing a well considered booklet essay, this new release of the three final Mozart symphonies, available on two CDs, recorded live in Rotterdam, provides eloquent testimony to Frans Brüggen’s ability to summon up the expressiveness and spontaneity demanded by Mozart’s masterpieces from 1788.