Dip Your Ears, No. 222 (Mozart: The Best of Prematurity)

W.A. Mozart, Complete Symphonies, volume 2 Danish National Chamber Orchestra Adam Fischer (conductor) (Dacapo SACD) US | UK | DE

Mozart’s early works are, all mindless Mozart-veneration aside, not masterpieces. All the more surprising that Adam Fischer makes so very much of some of the earliest (1767/68) on this second volume in a well-advanced complete cycle (released in seemingly random order). With the Danish National Chamber Orchestra’s extraordinarily spirited playing, Symphonies 6 through 8, K45a (doubtful), and K.45b (“Old Lambach”) are kid’s stuff no longer. With Karl Böhm (Berlin Philharmonic DG), some slow movements rise to notable beauty, but the rest is tame. With Fischer, it’s fun, if not rapturous going throughout. Splendid, nifty liner notes and presentation round off this most enjoyable release.

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