This post was directly triggered by a question I got to my last post on Mozart’s Violin Sonatas:
To quote jpas1954:
If someone, like me, wanted to listen to Mozart but didn’t know where to start, what would you recommend?
I figured instead of hiding it in the blog comments, I may as well make a post out of it.
So here we go.
The first 3 I already immediately answered from the top of my head, now a post with some additional recommendations,based on some more thinking about it.
The Clarinet Concerto
Take the second movement of the clarinet concerto, and you’re in heaven. The brillian Clarinetist Martin Fröst has recorded this twice, I prefer his second recording with the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie. On top of the clarient concerto, you also get the beautiful Kegelstatt Trio, and a less well known Allegro, with brilliant guests such as Leif-Ove Ansdnes or Janine Jansen.
The Late Symphonies
For a newbie, I’d focus on the late symphonies 38-41, with the famous no. 40 a-minor and no. 41 “Jupiter”. My favorite version is by Charles Mackerras. He also has recorded the symphonies twice, once in Prague, once with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. I prefer the latter, but the former is a good one if you want to get all 41 symphonies rather cheaply (and still very well played).
Piano Concerto no. 20 & 25
So many good recordings out there. But as I just admire Martha Argerich very much, I had to put this one out there. Is it the best? Probably not, but it is very special, and one of the last recordings of Maestro Abbado.
Good alternatives on fortepiano include Bezuidenhout and Brautigam, and on modern piano the Perahia recordings are also outstanding.
The Violin Concertos
Again Abbado with his own Orchestra Mozart, and this time the brilliant Giuliano Carmignola (see my review of his outstanding Four Seasons here), have recorded one of the best versions of the violin concertos and Sinfonia Concertante out there.
Another very good version is Richard Tognetti with the Australian Chamber Orchestra.
Solo Piano Works
Kristian Bezuidenhout is one of the best Mozart players of these days. His latest release of the complete piano works, vol. 7, is particularly well-played.
For modern piano, try Uchida or Brendel.
The Requiem
Sadly, never finished, so you only get versions that were completed by others, like Mozart’s pupil Süssmayr.
Again, so many great versions out there; this recent release by the Dunedin Consort is excellent both on the playing and on the recording quality.
Alternatives include Gardiner, Harnoncourt, and many others.
The Violin Sonatas
See my previous post on Rachel Podger.
And finally, the Operas: Idomeneo
i’ll certainly write more about my favorite operas Don Giovanni, Le Nozze di Figaro, and Cosi Fan Tutte (see my review of Nézet-Séguins version here) in the future, all are absolute must-haves. Let me promote here the Opera that was Mozart’s own favorite apparently (at least some booklet told me at some point): Idomeneo
René Jacobs Mozart is always worth discovering, not always very orthodox, but certainly exciting.
This one is really very good, and is among the top Idomeneos out there.
This is certainly only an early starting point.
I still need to write about the string quartets, the Great Mass in c-minor, the piano quartets, the horn concertos, etc. etc. etc.
But you need to start somewhere, and for a newbie, you probably have an excellent starting point here.
Please add and suggest other alternatives in the comments!
You can find the recordings here:
Clarinet Concerto: here
Symphonies: here
Piano concerto: here
Violin Concertos: here
Solo piano: here
Mozart Requiem: here
Idomeneo: here
musicophilesblog - From Keith Jarrett to Johannes Brahms 
The Clarinet Concerto is a delight, true enough, but I would have included the opera “Die Entfügrung aus dem Serail” in the beginner’s list, simply because it is si different from all those other wirks mentioned. Mozart had quite a sense of humour, and I think this opera betrays his “jester” side! 🃏
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Honestly, I have a problem with that opera. I really never liked it. I’m trying right now again the latest recording with René Jacobs, but it still isn’t my cup of tea. And I can’t recommend something I personally don’t like. But you’re right, any Mozart Newbie should make up his or her own mind.
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That’s okay. Are you speaking German? The funny side of it works only in German. May be that is part of the reason you didn’t like it. I find ut remarkable that Mozart portrayed the Muslim prince Bassa Selim as the generous ruler taking the moral high ground instead if using his right of revenge over past injustice. Not an easy message at the time. The siege of Vienna happened only 100 years earlier.
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Actually I do, and this is a big part of the problem. I don’t find the humor particularly subtle. I prefer the funny sides of Cosi and Figaro.
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Then all hope is lost! 😄
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You never know. I keep trying.
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This was my very first Mozart opera. I was aged about 17 and in the middle of teaching myself to appreciate Classical music. I have always had a soft spot for it. I still think it’s a great start for a beginner. But I did start with some very unsuitable material for a beginner. There wasn’t any help around in the sixties. Among what I would class as unsuitable was Bach’s The Musical Offering and a few Toccatas and Fugues. I’m quite surprised I wasn’t turned off Bach!
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Wow. To this day The Musical Offering is one of my least preferred Bach pieces. Glad it didn’t turn you off
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Great list, to be sure, but personally my recommendation would be to start with the blockbusters: the Kleine Nachtmusik (Andrew Manze’s version is excellent), Die Zauberflöte (Georg Solti), Don Giovanni (Furtwängler on EMI), and Figaro (Karajan on EMI).
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Sure for the operas. I’ll write about all of them later. However the Nachtmusik I really can’t stand any more.
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I haven’t played Eine Kleine Nachtmusik for ages either. It sounds better played by a small chamber group, and this sort of recording isn’t easy to find.
And now I really must get some work done!
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Im not sure I’ll ever be able to enjoy that piece again. There is so much better music out there
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I agree Martin is the master of clarinet. Another interesting album is just out with Mozart in love for Weber sisters major theme from Sabine Devieilhe here: http://www.qobuz.com/fr-fr/album/mozart-the-weber-sisters-sabine-devieilhe-raphael-pichon-ensemble-pygmalion/0825646050666 I have here previous album and is very good, what do you think about the latest one?
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Actually I just discovered it. The French magazine Diapason just reviewed it and liked it, and I agree her Rameau album is a lot of fun.
Back to the Mozart: Downloading it right now on my Qobuz app so I can check it out. Will report back.
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Awesome, let us know how is the singing and sound quality. I may pull the trigger as well. Now listening to Pluhar’s Cavalli 😉
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Ah, just discovered that Erato doesn’t like streaming. So even on Qobuz I only get 30 sec snippets. Hard to judge on those but first impression is quite positive. I’ll probably end up buying just to find out more.
And I really like the new Cavalli album. The recent Pluhar albums were quite controversial but this one is really nice. A review is in the making.
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Anyway, I ended up buying Cavalli. Noria Rial’s voice is awesome. Look as well 😉
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The Devieilhe Mozart album just got a “Choc”, the highest rating, in their November issue. I’ll check it out when it comes out
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Regarding Weber Sisters, it’s possibly the very good disc, but over the web when I’ve listened several times it sounds little bit with lack of energy, but maybe as you said it’s just 30s snippets, so hard to judge.
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As the guy who inadvertently triggered this discussion, I sure am enjoying it. I can navigate my way around jazz, blues, rock, etc. I like classical but I’ve had a difficult time figuring out what to listen to except the most well-known ones. I’ll be sure to check out some of the pieces that have been mentioned thus far. Thanks.
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I must say that the string quintets are excellent pieces of chamber music and could be a good place to start with Mozart. Each one is filled with tuneful melodies and are a delight to listen to. Check out the Grumiaux Trio playing the cycle for a good set.
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Good point. I really like the string quartets. They are not as advanced as Beethoven or even Haydn, but they are certainly worth discovering.
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For me Mozart’s “Haydn” quartets are right up the top of Mt Everest (if music should happen to be a mountain, that is). But I love the Beethoven quartets too (except for the Grosse Fugue; I hate that).
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Mozart isn’t my go to composer for chamber music yet. I’m much more into Schubert.
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I’m not sure I’d start with the string quintets. But I must admit I didn’t get to these near the beginning of my journey to teach myself to appreciate Classical music.
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Frankly, I don’t believe the an opera is the best proposition for a beginer wishing to explore Mozart’s music. Even if he put in some of the most beautifull pieces of his music.
I would have suggest the complete set of the piano concertos, and Perahia would be my choice for the set as a whole.
The symphony no.40 is a no brainer. My choice is Bruno Walter, Columbia Orch.
The Violin Concertos while no.3 is very pleasing, can hardly be regarded as major works; not at all in the class of the Clarinet Concerto, a true masterpiece.
But in the end, if I had to convince someone how great was that musical giant, I would urge him to listen to the Piano Sonata no. 8 in A minor, K.310 by Perahia; Gilels and also Helene Grimaud have recorded good versions
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Thanks for your feedback.
I know, Idomeneo is not the most accessible opera. You have a point.
I like Perahia very much as well.
As much as I love Walter, he wouldn’t be my first choice for Mozart.
Are the violin concertos not Mozart best works? Probably. But I still think they are worth discovering.
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Basically I’d agree with an opera not being the best place to start with Mozart. I’d been listening to Classical music a fair while before I bought Die Entführung. I figured if Mozart was going to be a favourite I’d better try the operas seeing as he was an important opera composer! Once I started buying Classical LPs my middle sister decided she would too (there is always a certain amount of rivalry between sisters, especially the ones closest in age). I was really surprised to discover how different our tastes became. Colleen’s tastes veered towards big 19th century orchestral works (much where we both started) while my passion is chamber music, with the 19th century being my least favourite period; the 20th and 21st centuries don’t interest me at all. I rather envy people with wide musical tastes.
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I personally love the 19th. Brahms, the great romantics. But I agree broad taste is very enjoyable
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You have some great suggestions here. On LP I had Henryk Szeryng and Ingrid Haebler in the sonatas for piano and violin, but on CD I have the Cooper/Podger set. Chances are I wouldn’t be able to listen to Szeryng today. I’m not against vibrato judiciously used, but most of the old school violinists now have me screaming out, “For goodness’ sake stay on the note!” My favourite Mozart is the set of “Haydn” quartets, but I wouldn’t recommend them to a beginner. However, might I suggest my favourite Mozart orchestral work: the Sinfonia Concertante for Violin and Viola, K364?
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René Jacobs’ Idomeneo is not among the best, it IS the best. That recording is a revelation. Listening to it makes one see and hear, plainly, why it was reported Mozart’s own favorite amongst his operas. I’ve heard that many different times from many different sources.
I love Jacobs’ Mozart. His Cosi, Figaro, Idomeneo, Clemenza, Finta, and Giovanni are top notch recordings – amongst the best. His Entführung is so marvelously sung, conducted and played that I can forgive all the stupid chatter that lingers over the music, and it’s the recording I return to most. His Zauberflöte is perhaps most frustrating with the odd tempos choices here and there, but I still enjoy it.
Recordings, in my opinion that rival Jacobs:
– Cosi: Böhm and Karajan (1955).
– Giovanni: The GREAT Guilini and Nézet-Séguin.
– Clemenza: Gardiner and Davis.
– Zauberflöte: Solti’s first recording.
– Entführung: Solti and Christie.
– Idomeneo: Gardiner
– Finta: None.
– Figaro: None.
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I recently bought a lot of Jacobs‘ Mozart recordings any love them all. I’ll make sure to check out your recommendations thanks for sharing!
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