Mozart, W A - Wind Concertos - Scottish Chamber Orchestra

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"These robust performances of three of Mozart's wind concertos are well worth getting hold of. The three soloists - Alison Mitchell (flute), Ursula Leveux (bassoon) and Maximiliano Martin (clarinet) - are all leading principal players with the SCO, and each brings an energetic freshness to their respective performances: Leveux a breathtaking crispness in the B flat Bassoon Concerto; Mitchell a nimble elegance to the G major Flute Concerto; and Martin a silvery definition to the Clarinet Concerto." 4/5 stars (The Scotsman, 2006)

"Music: The Scottish Chamber Orchestra is particularly appropriate for this repertoire. Not so small it sounds lightweight or lacking in body and not so large that it is staid or lacking in vitality. Their accomplishment adds to the strength of a Mozart disc that really has wings. Nevertheless, the clarinet concerto featuring Maximiliano Martin is the work that has the strongest impact here. The two earlier works are excellent, familiar fare, but somehow lack the clarinet concerto's depth and passion. What really makes this recording fly, however, is the security of the soloist's delivery. Martin's playing has the easy virtuosity that only top class musicians can achieve.

Sound: The clarinet can often sound subtly out of tune, which has something to do with the physical qualities of the instrument, but here it sounds bright and clean, and always on top of intonation issues in this warmly attractive recording made in Edinburgh's Greyfriars Kirk." (Hi-Fi Choice, 2006)

Section principals Alison Mitchell (flute), Ursula Leveaux (bassoon) and Maximiliano Martín (clarinet) celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

The SACD layer is both 5.1 channel and 2-channel.

Produced by Tim Oldham
Recorded at the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, 5-7 June 2005
Engineered by Philip Hobbs
Post Production by Julia Thomas, Finesplice UK

Scottish Chamber Orchestra dir. Alexander Janiczek
Alison Mitchell - flute
Ursula Leveaux - bassoon
Maximiliano Martín - clarinet