This 2006 album of Mozart's Serenata Notturna, K. 239, the three Divertimentos, K. 136-138, and the perennial favorite, "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik," K. 525, is a tasteful offering from Herbert von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic. Listeners who aren't particular about historically informed practice vs. mainstream interpretations may be attracted to this. While no one would categorize Karajan as an arbiter of authentic Classical-period style, there is a delicacy in these works that requires a light touch and balanced expressions, and these otherwise high-powered musicians play with the grace, agility, and elegance that Mozart's refined music needs, no matter what the school of thought. These performances date from between 1966 and 1968, so the recordings are ADD, but Deutsche Grammophon's exceptional digital remastering shows these performances to best advantage.
© TiVo