Like its predecessor, the second volume of
Roger Norrington's series called Mozart -- Essential Symphonies contains three works: Symphonies No. 12 in G major, Symphony No. 29 in A major, and Symphony No. 39 in E flat major. Recorded live at the Europäisches Musikfest Stuttgart in 2006 with the
Radio-Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart des SWR, these works make an attractive program: the childish enthusiasm of the G major growing into the youthful energy of the A major and finally into the mature mastery of the E flat major.
Norrington leads the modern-instrument Stuttgart players in performances that are strong, clear, cogent, and colorful, eliciting playing of great poise and lucidity that matches the light-filled interpretations. Though longtime listeners will no doubt have heard numerous recordings of these works before,
Norrington and the Stuttgart's recordings deserve to be heard by anyone who reveres
Mozart's music. Though recorded live, Hänssler's sound is clean and deep, though with a fair amount of audience noise.