Paul Sacher conducts two cassations of W A Mozart

From a while back....Paul Sacher conducting the cassations K 63 and K 99 of W A Mozart.

In a previous post, I mentioned my admiration for Sacher so I thought another offering was in order. These occasional pieces are really quite enjoyable and full of experimentation by the youthful Mozart, at least that's what I hear when I listen to them. My opinion is that they are among the more interesting of Mozart's early works but they somehow get shortchanged. Oh well..at least Sacher took the time with his excellent Zurich group to bring them to life on vinyl and we can all be grateful for that!

As fillers, I've included items from a Stradivari lp, (notes within) of wind music by Haydn and Mozart. These pieces are uncomplicated and admittedly, 2nd rate work by both the composers, in the case of Mozart, probably 3rd rate. However, it is important for us to remember that not everything by these masters were masterpieces; much was tossed off to suit an occasion and the small payment that came along with the commission! The Haydn serenades are performed well by the wind players of the Vienna SO, the Mozart pieces are at best "tolerably" attempted by the Salzburg wind ensemble. Still, an interesting listen, though Sacher is the only first rate performance on this particular post.

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Paul Sacher conducts the music of Johann Christian Bach

Paul Sacher was one of the most important forces in musical creativity during the last century. Conductor, impresario, businessman, patron, Sacher was a vital force in promoting and encouraging new music and excavation forgotten classics. His influence cannot be understated.

Here, Sacher leads not his justly famed Basle Chamber Orchestra but the ubiquitous Vienna Symphony Orchestra in the music of Johann Christaian Bach, the great JS Bach's youngest, and probably most cosmopolitan son. Recorded most likely in the early 60's, this record was one of the first to resurrect the very enjoyable, and influential Bach from pretty much oblivion. Mozart, of all people, considered the "London" Bach and Haydn to be his father figures, in a musical sense.

This is a good program and well representative of Bach's skills. We have two sinfonias from op. 18, a harpsichord concerto and a sinfonia concertante for violin, cello and orchestra. The transfer comes from a Philips World Series release, PHC 9009. This is not profound music, it does not explore the emotional depth of Mozart, or have the hearty, good natured humor of Haydn, but it is enjoyable, well crafted and delightful on its own terms.

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The incomparable Clara Haskil playing who else? Mozart!

What better way is there to celebrate Christmas Eve then with a fine bottle of wine and Clara Haskil playing?  Here we have concertos K466 and K488 impeccably rendered by perhaps the greatest interpreter of Mozart during the last century....well in my opinion. Haskil is so...tasteful...that's it in a nutshell. Everything is played with such sensitivity and clarity, it unfolds so naturally with a dose of spontaneity. On top of that, both conductors, Paumgartner and Sacher,  provide vital support as they enter and absorb Haskil's genious with this music. Magnificent!

Merry Christmas!

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