Mozart Symphonies: 14, 18, 20, 39 & 41 Boston Symphony Orchestra & James Levine

• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 - 1791): Symphony No. 14 in A Major, K.114:
• 1Symphony No. 14 in A Major, K.114: I Allegro07:22
• 2Symphony No. 14 in A Major, K.114: II. Andante05:19
• 3Symphony No. 14 in A Major, K.114: III. Menuetto - Trio03:40
• 4Symphony No. 14 in A Major, K.114: IV. Molto allegro04:37
• Symphony No. 18 in F Major, K. 130:
• 5Symphony No. 18 in F Major, K. 130: I. Allegro05:30
• 6Symphony No. 18 in F Major, K. 130: II. Andantino grazioso04:56
• 7Symphony No. 18 in F Major, K. 130: III. Menuetto - Trio02:43
• 8Symphony No. 18 in F Major, K. 130: IV. Molto allegro07:30
• Symphony No. 20 in D Major, K. 133:
• 9Symphony No. 20 in D Major, K. 133: I. Allegro07:34
• 10Symphony No. 20 in D Major, K. 133: II. Andante05:58
• 11Symphony No. 20 in D Major, K. 133: III. Menuetto - Trio04:07
• 12Symphony No. 20 in D Major, K. 133: IV. Allegro04:11
• Symphony No. 39 in E-flat Major, K. 543:
• 13Symphony No. 39 in E-flat Major, K. 543; I. Adagio - Allegro10:33
• 14Symphony No. 39 in E-flat Major, K. 543; II. Andante con moto08:06
• 15Symphony No. 39 in E-flat Major, K. 543; III. Menuetto - Allegretto - Trio04:22
• 16Symphony No. 39 in E-flat Major, K 543; IV. Finale - Allegro07:47
• Symphony No. 41 in C Major, K. 551 "Jupiter":
• 17Symphony No. 41 in C Major, K. 551 "Jupiter"; I. Allegro vivace11:10
• 18Symphony No. 41 in C Major, K. 551 "Jupiter"; II. Andante cantabile10:55
• 19Symphony No. 41 in C Major, K. 551 "Jupiter"; III. Menuetto - Allegretto - Trio05:38
• 20Symphony No. 41 in C Major, K. 551 "Jupiter"; IV. Molto Allegro11:19
• Total Runtime02:13:17

Info for Mozart Symphonies: 14, 18, 20, 39 & 41

This recording tracks the creative evolution of Mozart through a series of five influential symphonies. The first three pieces, Symphonies 14, 18, and 20, were written when Mozart was only fifteen and sixteen years old. Symphonies Nos. 39 and 41, were composed in a whirlwind of creative fervor in a few weeks' time in the summer of 1788, and each is distinctly unique.

The symphonies were recorded live at Symphony Hall as part of Maestro James Levine's illuminating survey of Mozart's symphonies during the month of February 2009.

"Two album is more substantial, but somewhat less successful. The performances are heavier, lacking the exceptional clarity and flow found in the early works. In certain places, winds and brass aren't as warm or bright as previously. I'm well aware that Mozart's last symphonies ought sound different than his first, but I miss some of the fun and discovery that Levine conveyed on disc one. I find the forward-looking "Jupiter Symphony" the more convincing of the two pieces here, despite the fact that this is Levine's third recording of the work. In the Symphony #39, the opening movement simply lacks that last ounce of panache, while the latter three are very good and reasonably timed, but the work as a whole doesn't convince. And that's perhaps the biggest problem with the second half of this release, a lack of consistency. In the early works, Levine appears to have a clear vision for these symphonies. In the later ones, I feel that the maestro is a touch inconclusive about which direction he wishes to go. Ultimately though, this lovely pair of discs is a fine tribute to a relationship cut short, and a timely reminder of Levine's love of Mozart." (Brian Wigman, classical.net)

Boston Symphony Orchestra
James Levine, conductor

Boston Symphony Chamber Players
One of the world’s most distinguished chamber music ensembles sponsored by a major symphony orchestra and made up of that orchestra’s principal players, the Boston Symphony Chamber Players include first-desk string, woodwind, and brass players from the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Founded in 1964 during Erich Leinsdorf’s tenure as BSO music director, the Chamber Players can perform virtually any work within the vast chamber music literature; they can expand their range of repertory by calling upon other BSO members or enlisting the services of such distinguished artists as BSO Music Director James Levine (as both pianist and conductor) or pianists Emanuel Ax and André Previn.

The Chamber Players’ activities include an annual four-concert series in Boston’s Jordan Hall at the New England Conservatory of Music, regular appearances at Tanglewood (summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra), and a busy touring schedule. In addition to appearances throughout the United States, the group has performed in Europe and Japan on numerous occasions and has also toured to South America and the Soviet Union.

Among the Boston Symphony Chamber Players’ many recordings are the Beethoven Septet and Schubert Octet; Smetana’s G major Piano Trio and Dvorák’s String Sextet; the Brahms string quintets; music of John Harbison with soprano Dawn Upshaw, baritone Sanford Sylvan, and pianist Gilbert Kalish; a Copland album with Gilbert Kalish, and a disc of music by Leon Kirchner, all on Nonesuch. For Philips the ensemble has recorded the quintets for clarinet and strings by Mozart and Brahms with former BSO principal clarinet, the late Harold Wright. Deutsche Grammophon has reissued, on a single compact disc, the Chamber Players’ recordings of Stravinsky’s Octet for Winds, Pastorale, Ragtime, and Concertino for Twelve Instruments, along with Johann Strauss waltzes as arranged for chamber ensemble by Schoenberg, Berg, and Webern.

This album contains no booklet.