Mozart: Piano Concertos K503, K505, K595

by Robert Levin, Louise Alder, Academy of Ancient Music

Overview

Pianist Robert Levin's Mozart concerto series made a splash, was interrupted due to label complications, was resumed by the Academy of Ancient Music on its own label, and has steadily gained listeners and adherents; this final volume, with Richard Egarr conducting the Academy of Ancient Music, made classical best-seller lists in the summer of 2024. As the booklet here puts it, these recordings are "defiantly not 'middle of the road.'" Levin's innovations, or eccentricities depending on one's outlook, include improvised cadenzas (which Mozart certainly would have done) and heavy ornamentation of solo piano lines. In a way, this release may present Levin's method in its best light for those who aren't fully convinced of his approach. The two concertos both have big outer movements, giving Levin room to structure the density of his ornamentation so that the movements build effectively to a climax; in the more compact middle-period concertos, listeners are hit pretty quickly with shocks. Here, he backs off from the ornaments where he needs to, not losing the marvelous artlessness of the Piano Concerto No. 27 in B flat major, K. 595. Other virtues, as with previous volumes in the series, include detailed notes, with contributions explaining the use of Paul Klee's artworks in the graphics. There is a note from the piano tuner discussing the fine Chris Maene Walter fortepiano replica used here, and there is an especially nice entr'acte from soprano Louise Alder in the aria Ch'io mi scordi di te?, K. 505, and clear sound from the St. John's Smith Square venue. Levin's fans are already convinced, but those curious about him could do worse than start with this release. ~ James Manheim

Product Details

Release Date:	06/21/2024
Label:	Academy Of Ancient
UPC:	5060340150204
Rank:	6017

Tracks

1. Piano Concerto No. 25 in C major K503~Allegro maestoso
2. Piano Concerto No. 25 in C major K503~Andante
3. Piano Concerto No. 25 in C major K503~Allegretto
4. Ch'io mi scordi di te? - Non temer, amato bene K505
5. Piano Concerto No. 27 in B-flat major K595~Allegro
6. Piano Concerto No. 27 in B-flat major K595~Larghetto
7. Piano Concerto No. 27 in B-flat major K595~Allegro

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Robert Levin   Primary Artist,Fortepiano
Louise Alder   Primary Artist,Soprano (Vocal)
Academy of Ancient Music   Primary Artist,Orchestra
Richard Egarr   Conductor

Technical Credits

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart   Composer
Marc van Wageningen   Liner Notes,Keyboard Technician
Jonathan Stokes   Mixing Engineer,Mastering Engineer
Adrian Peacock   Editing,Producer
Mark Allan   Photography
Marco Borggreve   Photography
Neil Hutchinson   Mixing Engineer,Mastering Engineer
Benjamin Ealovega   Photography
Robert Levin   Improvisation
Paul Klee   Cover Image
Clive Barda   Photography
Cliff Eisen   Liner Notes
Imogen Seth-Smith   Interviewee
John McMunn   Liner Notes,Photography
Benjamin Sheen   Cover Design,Label Manager,Booklet Editor
Gerard Collett   Photography
Ariane Todes   Interviewer
Philip Siney   Engineer