As much as it might be hoped that a Salzburg orchestra named after Mozart would deliver the definitive, authoritative performances of Mozart's symphonies, such is sadly not the case. The best that can be said of the
Mozarteum-Orchester Salzburg's performance of the No. 34 and No. 39 symphonies is that it is adequate.
Looking just at execution, the orchestra's intonation is generally solid, which is certainly a good place to start. But there are instances, such as the opening of Symphony No. 34, when the strings and brass do not arrive on downbeats at the same time. Likewise, the violins are not consistently together in the Adagio introduction to Symphony No. 39. From an interpretive standpoint, the orchestra's playing is pedantic, lackluster, and tiresome. Extended sequential passages lack any variation or direction, making them seem interminable. The slow movements of both symphonies have no tenderness or warmth, just a thoughtless implementation of the notes. The
Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields is a highly favorable alternative for both superior performance and interpretation.