Album

While this double-disc of Mozart's wind concertos covers familiar ground for the cognoscenti and offers few interpretive or stylistic surprises, it is still a generous compilation of fine performances that may appeal to beginners and casual listeners. Ralf Gothóni and the English Chamber Orchestra are quite warm and pleasant in these 2000-2002 performances, and they provide solid support to the soloists, each a stalwart member of the ensemble but outstanding when thrust into the limelight. Oboist John Anderson, clarinetist Anthony Pike, bassoonist Julie Pike, and the two horn principals, Richard Berry and John Thurgood, shine in the solo concertos and in the Sinfonia Concertante in E flat, K. 297b, for four winds and orchestra. Reflecting some points of Classical practice but playing on modern instruments, the ECO's performances feel more or less authentic, and though true period timbres are lacking, the orchestra is vivid and distinctive because of Gothóni's attention to color and pursuit of a robust sound. Recorded in Gateway Studios, the Clarinet Concerto is possibly the most acoustically focused, though it has only slightly less resonance than the other recordings, which were made in St. Paul's Church, London.

© Blair Sanderson, All Music Guide

CD 1 of 2
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Composer Clarinet Concerto in A, K.622 Work 29:25 English Chamber Orchestra Orchestra, Ralf Gothoni Conductor, Anthony Pike Clarinet (Bass)
1	1.Allegro	12:43			Album Only
2	2.Adagio	7:46			$0.99
3	3.Rondo: Allegro	8:56			$0.99
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Composer Sinfonia concertante in Eb for Flute, Oboe, French Horn, and Bassoon, K.297b Work 30:08 English Chamber Orchestra Orchestra, Ralf Gothoni Conductor, Anthony Pike Clarinet, Julie Price Bassoon, John Anderson Oboe, John Thurgood French Horn
4	1.Allegro	12:58			Album Only
5	2.Adagio	8:36			$0.99
6	3.Andantino con variazioni	8:34			$0.99
CD 2 of 2
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Composer Oboe Concerto in C, K.314 Work 20:15 English Chamber Orchestra Orchestra, Ralf Gothoni Conductor, Anthony Pike Clarinet, John Anderson Oboe
1	1.Allegro aperto	7:14			$0.99
2	2.Adagio non troppo	7:09			$0.99
3	3.Rondo: Allegretto	5:52			$0.99
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Composer Bassoon Concerto in Bb, K.191 Work 18:06 English Chamber Orchestra Orchestra, Ralf Gothoni Conductor, Anthony Pike Clarinet, Julie Price Bassoon
4	1.Allegro	6:49			$0.99
5	2.Andante ma adagio	7:13			$0.99
6	3.Rondo: Tempo di menuetto	4:04			$0.99
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Composer Horn Concerto No.4 in Eb, K.495 Work 14:59 English Chamber Orchestra Orchestra, Ralf Gothoni Conductor, Anthony Pike Clarinet, Richard Berry French Horn
7	1.Allegro moderato	7:27			$0.99
8	2.Romanza: Andante cantabile	3:59			$0.99
9	3.Rondo: Allegro vivace	3:33			$0.99