Mozart: Piano Concerto 7 & 10

 

When it comes to Mozart's Concertos for Two Pianos, one's first breath at a mention of a recording is usually Radu Lupu and Murray Perahia on Sony. Their performance was a magical coming together of two pianists whose minds were simpatico regarding these works.

But, just because there is a milestone recording does not leave everyone else in the dust without any elbow room for someone to offer their own take on the Classical master's music.

German pianists Christian Zacharias and Marie-Luise Hinrichs bring great joy to these works, beautifully supported by the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra from the 90s.

Piano Concerto no. 7 in F Major was originally written with three pianos in mind, but as is usually the case, Zacharias and Hinrichs opt for Mozart's two-piano reduction. As an earlier work, I am not as enthusiastic over this music as later ones; the galant geniality can be too much for this listener, however the duo bring a bright light in their performances nonetheless.

One can easily hear how far Mozart has come in orchestrating and building an argument between pianos and an ensemble in Piano Concerto no. 10 in E-flat Major. The composer seems willing to complicate his textures in interesting ways much more compared to No. 7, both across the orchestra to the pianos and amongst the pianos themselves. Of the latter, the two-piano cadenzas are particularly impressive.

The Piano Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major exhibits the fine musicianship of this German piano team. The shared scale runs and any unison movement is perfectly aligned between the two, showing an astounding unanimity. I think Mozart also gives the listener his best use of aural spatial skills here as well, although this trio of multiple-piano compositions would probably work best live and in person.

None of these are my favorites from Mozart, but they each contain worthy music for the listener, which for me abound in K 365 & K 448. Christian Zacharias and Marie-Luise Hinrichs provide this music with persuasive energy, and one cannot forget the fine sounds coming from Bamberg.

 

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Works
Piano Concerto 7 in F Major, K242 (23.44)
Piano Concerto 10 in E-flat Major, K365 (22.26)
Piano Concerto 9 in E-flat Major, K271 (23.06)

Soloists
Christian Zacharias, piano
Marie-Luise Hinrichs, piano

Performers
Bamberg Symphony Orchestra

Label: EMI
Year: 1996
Timing: 69.16

 

 

 

 

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