Mozart's Violin Concertos
Carmignola's recording of Mozart's Violin Concerto
Gramophone Choice
Violin Concertos Nos 1-5. Sinfonia concertante, K364
Giuliano Carmignola (vn) Danusha Waśkiewicz (va) Orchestra Mozart / Claudio Abbado
Archiv 477 7371AH2 (129’ · DDD) Buy from Amazon
Virtuoso ‘violinism’ and energising direction notwithstanding, neither Giuliano Carmignola nor Claudio Abbado seems inspired by the B flat Concerto, K207. Nor does slick dispatch do much for the first movement of the D major, K211; but this is not the shape of things to come. Carmignola steps away from neutrality in the succeeding Andante. The music breathes a life of its own as he ardently inflects its phrases to shape the tension and relaxation of his line which – as elsewhere – he also embellishes. And pauses are decorated with lead-ins. Here is personal involvement that from now on is present in full flower.
It’s a flowering for Abbado too, as he summons a passionate advocacy that takes in the implications of key and time signatures on atmosphere and pacing, uses dynamic markings and intuitive accents to keep rhythm aloft, adjusts the timbres of the wind instruments (oboes are vivid or subdued, horns play in alt or basso) to suit the colouration he requires, and aerates the orchestral fabric for maximum clarity. Conducting and interpretation are in the realms of greatness – and no mistake.
In the solo concertos, Carmignola is recorded with varying but small changes of volume. His positioning is steadier in the Sinfonia concertante; and so is his placement with the artistic, if slightly reticent, Danusha Was´kiewicz. Nevertheless, their skilled dovetailing and intelligent use of tone colour speak of symbiosis. Abbado remains primus inter pares, watchful, supportive and fortifying. Pity the sound isn’t always clear and detailed. Superlative music-making deserves consistently superlative recording.
Additional Recommendation
Violin Concertos Nos 1-5. Adagio in E, K261. Rondo in C, K373. Sinfonia concertante in E flat, K364
Arthur Grumiaux (vn) Arrigo Pelliccia (va) London Symphony Orchestra / Sir Colin Davis; New Philharmonia Orchestra / Raymond Leppard
Philips Duo 438 323-2PM2 (153' · ADD · Recorded 1961-64) Buy from Amazon
These performances of the five standard violin concertos, the Sinfonia concertante and a couple of other pieces were much admired when they came out on LP, and they continue to earn praise for their crispness, lightness and eloquence. Grumiaux was also fortunate in his partner in the Sinfonia concertante, for Pelliccia is also an expert Mozartian and they give a performance of this beautiful piece that’s expressive but still avoids self-indulgent romanticism. In the solo concertos, too, Grumiaux plays cadenzas that suit the music in length and style. Both Sir Colin Davis and Raymond Leppard are sympathetic partners in this repertory, and since the playing of the two London orchestras is no less satisfying, this issue scores all round artistically. The 1960s recordings do not sound their age and are pleasing save for a little tape hiss and an excess of bass that hardly suits the style of this translucent music. However, that’s a small price to pay when so much else is admirable, and Grumiaux’s fine tonal palette is well caught.
