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In Reply to: Does anyone listen to entire works from a single artist? posted by rlawry on November 19, 2002 at 08:08:36:
Just kidding guys. I don't think it could be done. His output is in the neighborhood of 800 works, including the fragments and arrangments. I would like to try and get through the piano concertos in order some time. I think that would be a decent example of his evolution. I figure it would take about 24 hours. I think I'd need two days.Steve
Follow Ups:
Frank and SRI would very strongly counsel that if you really want to get a handle on Mozart you must get to know 'more than a few' of the works outside of the neat categories - symphonies, concertos, solo piano works, operas, string quartets, trios, sonatas etc.
Do try to get to know his chamber works for differing ensembles especially those including winds like the 'Lodron' pieces, the Gran Partita, and all the other pieces for a 'harmonie' wind group. do not be put off by the terms serenade or divertimento, it does not mean a lesser work.
By then you'd know how critical his wind writing was, then look at the scores for the symphonic works and the piano concertos. Notice the wind writing is strikingly like hsi wind writing for chamber pieces, except that the winds now act as an excahngers and commentator, in the scores. Often in the middle of what were intended to be 'antiphonal' exchanges between the 1st and 2nd strings, ie in space.
Then listen to conventional orchestra and conductor's recordings and notice how many of these almost bury his wind writing and the antiphonal exchanges, because of the; 2nds behind 1sts layout, and way too many strings. Not to mention vibrato, relatively homogenous wind sound, etc.
Some of the greats from the 'Golden age' so beloved here did try - some correctly placing first and second violins on opposite sides of the stage, and in cutting back on the numbers of strings.
But too many didn't even do these basic things and this is a pity because it reduces Mozart's acheivement, and tends to diminish the very great differences between these and the mass of later works in the orchestral canon.
Just my opinion.
timbo
Hence.. for Mozart, go HIP!straying a bit, the Mozart Symphony No. 40 I heard played by Concerto Koln really made me rush out to get the score to verify all the little things i hear that I have never heard before. Apparently they are supposed to be there! Shame on the big 'golden age' orchestras :)
Less strings and more winds in proportion for Mozart - It just sounds 'right'.
Sigh..still can't find a version of the Mozart Requiem I like..
Steve,I've recently been working thru' a little of Mozart in a modest way and it's really rewarding.
Started with his violin concertoes, I believe, there being only five in number. The way the concertoes evolved over five pieces is remarkable on whatever level you want to access them.
Then moved on to his 27 piano concertoes (took me a relaxed month...) and again the they were really intriguing, especially as their composition effectively covered his lifespan.
I'm working up the courage to listen to his operas (I struggle with operas) - oh well, maybe next year!
Get into Mozart! (I can think of worse vices).
Thanks for the reply, I've been activly into Mozart for awhile now. I was working on completing his works on LP, but gave up after getting to about the 450 mark. It's just too difficult to find the more obscure ones on LP still. I am nearing completion of a new CD set by Dutch company Brilliant Classics. It's a new 24 volume Complete Mozart Edition for vicinity of $500. I've got 1-15 and have ordered 16-20. If you're interested in the set go to www.joanrecords.com. Click on classical, then click on Mozart edition. Clicking on the box pics will show whats in each volume.Don't let the operas scare you off, they were his favorite genre and what he did the best. Mozart operas are very approachable, loaded with great melody and comedy. Magic Flute, Marriage of Figaro, and Don Giovanni is a good order to attack them. There are also 15 more after these "big" three. I think one reason people have difficulty with grasping opera is by starting with the wrong ones, think comedy not tragedy, and avoid Wagner. It also helps to see opera. They are stage presentations with sets and costumes and babes (not just fat divas in horns). You don't have to buy $150 tickets either, try college productions or DVD's. At www.dvdplanet.com there are scads of operas DVD's for under $25. The Met productions are always very good as are the Theatro Alla Scalla.
Regards
Awwwwwww Steve, you know loads about Mozart - and here's me trying to encourage you!Many thanks for your comments which were really helpful, I had not considered 'easing into a Mozart opera' by seeing it first on video - will do!
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