99.00 PLN

4 CD:

Nr kat.: ATMCD1885
Label  : VOX Classics (USA)

Review by James Leonard [-] There's no denying that this four-disc set of recordings of Mozart's violin sonatas is, as the cover proclaims, historical. Performed by violinist Joseph Szigeti (1892-1973) accompanied by pianists Mieczyslaw Horszowski (1892-1991) or George Szell (1897-1970), the set clearly belongs sometime in the distant past. But when in the past is the question. Alas, it is a question that remains unanswered in the notes for this set. From the too close, too hard, and too edgy sound, one would guess the early to mid-'50s. Of course, those sonic problems might have been lessened had the recordings been more than minimally remastered, but, aside from transferring them to CD, it doesn't appear as if anything has been done to mitigate the antique sonics. But, hard sound and dubious documentation aside, how are the performances? In their way, quite fine: Szigeti was a masterful violinist with a superlative technique and a buoyant sense of rhythm, and although some might object that his tone is too often too scrappy for Mozart, no one could object to his stylish playing and effortless interpretations. Horszowski was a marvelous pianist with a consummate technique and an ebullient sense of rhythm, and although some might complain that his pedaling is too heavy for Mozart, no one could complain of his elegant and accomplished accompaniments. Szell was a tremendous conductor and a far more than merely adequate pianist, and although some might point out that his playing here is hardly as characterful as his conducting, no one could point to any actual flaws in his playing. Listeners looking for a complete set of Mozart's violin sonatas could do much worse than to try this set. However, listeners looking for the best sets of the sonatas might wish to try the sweetly singing Henryk Szeryng performances accompanied by Ingrid Haebler or the ineffably graceful Arthur Grumiaux performances accompanied by Walter Klein.