Album

Since Shlomo Mintz's approach to playing and conducting Mozart is far from dogmatic, but rather flexible and open to change, his renditions on this fine three-disc set of the Violin Concertos, K. 207, 211, 216, 218, and 219; the Concertone, K. 190; and the Sinfonia Concertante, K. 364, are a bit of a compromise between opposing interpretive schools. Partisans of authentic performances on period instruments may balk at Mintz's modern-instrument readings with the English Chamber Orchestra, yet hardline Romantics may find the solo playing too transparent and the ensemble too lithe and pared-down to suit their tastes. Everyone else in the middle, though, will find that Mintz and the ECO have struck an agreeable balance that is perhaps most appealing for avoiding extremes of rigidness or lushness. On violin in all the works except K. 364, where he plays viola, Mintz is resonant and warm, but always clear, and his expressive lines are always tastefully controlled. Hagai Shaham, as violinist in the Sinfonia Concertante, provides a contrast in his bright tone and scintillating embellishments that works well with Mintz's richer sonorities. Note especially their affecting duo in the Andante of that work, perhaps the most rewarding music-making of the set. Avie's sound quality is splendid.

© Blair Sanderson, All Music Guide

CD 1 of 3
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Composer Violin Concerto No.1 in Bb, K.207 Work 20:11 English Chamber Orchestra Orchestra, Shlomo Mintz Violin
1	1.Allegro moderato	6:59			$0.99
2	2.Adagio	7:18			$0.99
3	3.Presto	5:54			$0.99
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Composer Violin Concerto No.2 in D, K.211 Work 19:33 English Chamber Orchestra Orchestra, Shlomo Mintz Violin
4	1.Allegro moderato	8:27			$0.99
5	2.Andante	6:34			$0.99
6	3.Rondeau: Allegro	4:32			$0.99
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Composer Violin Concerto No.3 in G, K.216 Work 24:23 English Chamber Orchestra Orchestra, Shlomo Mintz Violin
7	1.Allegro	10:07			Album Only
8	2.Adagio	8:03			$0.99
9	3.Rondo: Allegro	6:13			$0.99
CD 2 of 3
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Composer Violin Concerto No.4 in D, K.218 Work 24:50 English Chamber Orchestra Orchestra, Shlomo Mintz Violin
1	1.Allegro	9:31			$0.99
2	2.Andante cantabile	7:50			$0.99
3	3.Rondeau: Andante grazioso	7:29			$0.99
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Composer Violin Concerto No.5 in A, K. 219 ('Turkish') Work 30:09 English Chamber Orchestra Orchestra, Shlomo Mintz Violin
4	1.Allegro aperto	10:09			Album Only
5	2.Adagio	10:48			Album Only
6	3.Rondo: Tempo di minuetto	9:12			$0.99
CD 3 of 3
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Composer Concertone in C for 2 Violins, Oboe, Cello and Orchestra, K.190 Work 28:32 English Chamber Orchestra Orchestra, Hagai Shaham Violin, Shlomo Mintz Violin, John Anderson Oboe, Josephine Knight Cello
1	1.Allegro spiritoso	9:00			$0.99
2	2.Andantino grazioso	10:14			Album Only
3	3.Tempo di menuetto: Vivace	9:18			$0.99
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Composer Sinfonia concertante in Eb for Violin and Viola, K.364 Work 32:00 English Chamber Orchestra Orchestra, Hagai Shaham Violin, Shlomo Mintz Violin
4	1.Allegro maestoso	13:36			Album Only
5	2.Andante	11:33			Album Only
6	3.Rondo: Presto	6:51			$0.99