Mozart Sinfonia Concertante in E flat for Violin and Viola, K364
He has taste and what is more, the greatest skill in composition
Cooke’s Tour 15: Mozart Sinfonia Concertante in E flat for Violin and Viola, K364
Richard Cooke’s introduction
“…I mentioned in my earlier Blog No.6 about my ‘Damascene’ moment when Mozart suddenly clicked for me whilst listening to the end of The Marriage of Figaro. Someone sent me a ‘lock-down/up’ message a few weeks ago asking for something on the viola. This will be no viola joke. I have written about his wonderful piano concertos and would say again that they represent the pinnacle of his orchestral writing. There are one or two other concertos which occupy the same high ground, including the well-known Clarinet Concerto, and another being my selected work for this week…”
Richard Cooke
There are two recordings on Youtube.
The first with this youthful performance which occasionally needs to settle slightly, but is captivating.
Watch now on YouTube
The second with Barenboim conducting, sound quality not the best and a rather more old-fashioned performance
Watch now on YouTube
A third performance with Perlman and Zukerman is even more old-fashioned and the sound not too good.
On Spotify
I think (hesitatingly) I plump for Abbado conducting the Berlin Philharmonic with Rainer Mussmaul and Wolfram Christ, mainly because of the more held tempo of the slow movement.
Listen now on Spotify
Listen now on Spotify
Listen now on Spotify
or the whole album with other music as well
Listen now on Spotify
The Norwegian Chamber Orchestra with Iona Brown with Lars Anders Tomter was top recommendation in Gramophone Magazine in 2016, but I find the slow movement a bit quick and unsettled. That said, it is a fresher and more robust performance and many will prefer it for its character.
Listen now on Spotify
Listen now on Spotify
Listen now on Spotify
Canterbury Choral Society Music Director, Richard Cooke, is sharing his favourite works to give some musical nourishment in these difficult, isolated times. ‘Cooke’s Tour’ is a weekly musical voyage (not necessarily choral music) that music lovers can enjoy without leaving home. You can see his introductory video on Royal Choral Society YouTube channel.
Join Richard Cooke’s music tour at www.richardcooke.org or follow on Canterbury Choral Society Twitter or #CookesTour.
As well as Canterbury Choral Society, Richard Cooke is Music Director of Royal Choral Society and University of Essex Choir.