Classical Music: Mozart Piano Concertos, Vol. 10

Mozart Piano Concertos, Vol. 10

Overture to ‘Apollo et Hyacinthus’, KV 38; Overture to ‘Bastien und Bastienne’, KV 50; Piano Concerto No. 1 in F major, KV 37; Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat major, KV 39; Piano Concerto No. 3 in D major, KV 40; Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, KV 41

Jean-Efflam Bavouzet piano
Manchester Camerata Gábor Takács-Nagy
Chandos CHAN 20323
chandos.net

This superb exploration of Mozart’s piano concertos on the Chandos label has reached volume 10, and yet again we have exemplary playing from all concerned. The series has treated listeners to numerous overtures, and this disc is no different. The two brief overtures set the scene well.

The focus is on the very early works of the child-genius composer. As an exercise, his father, Leopold, tasked the eleven-year-old Mozart with creating concertos from existing works by (then popular, but now mostly forgotten) other composers. This ‘pasticcio’ technique was in fact quite common in the late baroque and early classical periods, especially for the creation of dramatic entertainment. Jean-Efflam Bavouzet explains: ”Mozart’s contribution extends only to the orchestral part, for Mozart did not alter a note in the keyboard part of those pieces that Leopold had chosen for him. Excellent pedagogue that he was, Leopold did not only prepare an exercise in orchestration but also a procedure to allow his miraculously gifted young son to become acquainted with the form of the concerto.

Bavouzet's partnership with the Manchester Camerata, under the direction of Gábor Takács-Nagy, is commendable. Each volume showcases the musicianship's sharp precision and an enjoyable and stylish intelligibility. Recorded in The Stoller Hall, Hunts Bank, Manchester, Bavouzet showcases his vibrant playing on a Yamaha model CFX nine-foot Concert Grand Piano. The Manchester Camerata provides lovely phrasing and crisp lines; the balance between them and the soloist is excellent.

This is a splendid cycle, and if you haven’t bought the other nine volumes, then they are worthy of exploration.