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Site review by Polly Nomial May 7, 2006
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Performance: Sonics (S/MC): / |
This is my first (and surely not last) Mozart Requiem on SACD and in many respects is very successful. Unlike most recordings I've heard, the performing edition is by Robert Levin not the usual Süßmayr. The principle differences are a thinner instrumentation, the Lacrimosa now has a non-modulating fugue (which is a real shock to the ears!), "curious tonal discrepancies" (Levin) from the Sanctus removed, the Hosannna fugue is shortened, the Benedictus is revised to flow into a short reprise of the Hosanna fugue and the texts better reflect customary practice of the day - in short, this is very different to the Süßmayr version! The composition is certainly more taut but clearly we are no more certain that this was Mozart's intentions more that we can certain that it is no longer Süßmayr's.
The interpretation is, somewhat surprisingly for a text that is supposed to get closer to Mozart and Mackerras' recent flirtation with period instrument orchestras, very emotive (almost romantic) - though readers should quite rightly ask whether it is right to give a reading that isn't emotive. The sense of pain, desperation and sorrow that pervades this music of genius is almost overbearing in the direction that the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Charles Mackerras bring. The soloists are also complicit in this outpouring of grief. The only blight on this otherwise wonderful reading is the chorus, the soprano's in particular, who sound strained all too often putting a element of physical rather than emotional pain in the listeners ears. This is very sad as the articulation is very good all round (orchestra, soloists and chorus alike) and this is helped by a very fine Linn recording (in both stereo and multichannel). As an "encore" the strings of the SCO and Mackerras treat us to a trenchant and vehement reading of the Adagio & Fugue in C minor (originally written for 2 pianos) - this is played with such vigour and commitment that it puts rival interpretations like that on Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik - English Concert/Manze firmly in the shade.
(Purchased)
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Copyright © 2006 John Broggio and SA-CD.net
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