What happened to this once great maestro? As he has aged, his performances have gotten steadily slower and more ponderous, the detail fussier, the orchestral textures heavier. In Mozart, this sort of musical suffocation is fatal. It doesn't matter that the orchestra plays beautifully or that Giulini's intentions are obviously sincere. He smothers the music with his earnestness. Virtually unlistenable. --David Hurwitz
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 3.5 / 5.0
Six stars instead of five !!!:
I just want to add that Giulini's approach, as one of the reviewers said, is unusual, but that fact makes it different in comparison to the more "standard" performances that people are used to listen to. Considering this two symphonies as very romatic works for their conception, the way how they have been performed in this recording is perfectly valid, where the details of the composition are beautifully treated and highlighted. Mozart's music -specially his last works- must not only be enjoyed with fast... more info
unusual but beautiful mozart:
the sincere emotion of giulini and the gorgeous berlin philharmonic united in these performances (in the jesus christus kirche, not the philharmonie) to produce one of the most distinct and unusual versions of mozart 40 and 41 on record. the tempi are quite slow throughout, but the power and intention of the music never falters. inner voices are amazingly clear; the standard of ensemble is unbelievably good. this is a recording for those who are interested in a lush, romantic approach to mozart.
Too Slow!:
So... on this CD, we have Carlo Maria Giulini, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and the last two Symphonies by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The recording engineers captured the sound of the orchestra using 20-digital recording for "high definition sound." That's what got me to buy this CD. The sound itself is really good, BUT...
Something's wrong here. Shouldn't the pieces be played a little faster? Never mind how great it sounds! The great Giulini had chosen a slow tempo, which would make you think the... more info
This disk will take you out of your mind!:
The performance here of symphony No40 and No41 are so slow - it really takes you out of your mind. I'm not sure if it the "usual" way these works were played in the last 210 and so year or it is really a problem only I have, however, I found myself more then once wish the music will go on while it was moving as a snail crossing the road. Don't buy it! or buy it for someone you don't like. you were worned!
Tracks:
Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K. 550: 1. Molto allegro
Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K. 550: 2. Andante
Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K. 550: 3. Menuetto. Allegretto - Trio
Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K. 550: 4. Allegro assai
Symphony No. 41 in C major ('Jupiter'), K. 551: 1. Allegro vivace
Symphony No. 41 in C major ('Jupiter'), K. 551: 2. Andante cantabile
Symphony No. 41 in C major ('Jupiter'), K. 551: 3. Menuetto. Allegretto - Trio
Symphony No. 41 in C major ('Jupiter'), K. 551: 4. Molto Allegro
