ARAM KHACHATURIAN : Konzerte für Violine und Violoncello (Daniel Müller-Schott, Arabella Steinbacher) (2004) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

If you're going to record the fiendishly difficult and vibrant violin and cello concertos of Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian, magnificently clean, virtuosic, and sensitive performances are absolutely essential for soloists and orchestra alike. Fortunately, that is precisely what is achieved on this recording featuring violinist Arabella Steinbacher, cellist Daniel Müller-Schott, and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Müller-Schott's performance of the cello concerto, first on the CD, is beyond exciting. His technique is sparkling and gives listeners the impression that even the most difficult passages are completely effortless. Always infused with the folk-like panache so necessary for Khachaturian's works, technical passages are always exciting and never sterile. The second movement is sultry and filled with tension. Offering a similarly virtuosic performance, Steinbacher's violin playing is throaty and guttural, another ideal match for Khachaturian. Filled with passionate risk-taking, the folksy, almost militaristic third movement is a tour de force for soloist and orchestra alike, while the passionate second movement showcases violin playing that is nothing short of sexy. The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra's tight and sensitive accompaniment only enhances the virtuosity of these two soloists. by Mike D. Brownell  

Aram Khatchaturian (1859-1935)

1-3 Konzert Für Violoncello Und Orchester (32:12)
4-6 Konzert Für Violine Und Orchester (37:58)

Violoncello – Daniel Müller-Schott
Conductor – Sakari Oramo
Orchestra – City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Violin – Arabella Steinbacher

MOZART: Piano Trios K. 502, 542, 548 - Anne-Sophie Mutter / Daniel Müller-Schott / André Previn (2006) FLAC

In 2006, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's birth plus the 30th anniversary of Anne-Sophie Mutter's public debut, Deutsche Grammophon released new recordings of the German violinist in all the Austrian composer's major works featuring her instrument. To celebrate Mutter's undeniable beauty, each body of works was released with a different photograph of Mutter on the cover: the set of concertos had Mutter poured into a stunning bottle green mermaid gown, the set of sonatas had Mutter wrapped in a shimmering golden yellow strapless gown, and this set of the piano trios has Mutter's wonderfully made-up face and marvelously coifed hair in close-up. And just as no one but a blind man would deny Mutter's beauty, no one but a deaf man would deny Mutter's standing as one of the great violinists of her age with flawless intonation, faultless technique, a sensual tone, and a warmly romantic interpretive style. Of course, some might say that a warmly romantic interpretive style is out of place in the transcendently elegant works of Mozart. Others might point out that Mutter plays with impeccable taste and consummate control in these three late piano trios, but even they might concede that her performances are perhaps too sweet and possibly too ardent for the sublimely graceful Mozart. Cellist Daniel Müller-Schott and pianist André Previn are united behind Mutter and their performance is as one with Mutter in style and approach. For some, this disc will be a lovely addition to their Mutter collection. For others, the classic recording by the Beaux Arts Trio may seem closer to the classical style of the music. DG's sound is very flattering to Mutter, but puts Müller-Schott and Previn a bit too far in the background.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart [1756 - 1791]

Tracklist

No. 6 In C Major, K. 548 C-Dur • En Ut Majeur 19:50

1. I Allegro 6:59

2. II Andante Cantabile 8:43

3. III Allegro 4:08

No. 5 In E Major, K. 542 E-Dur • En Mi Majeur 18:38

4. I Allegro 7:06

5. II Andante Grazioso 5:04

6. III Finale. Allegro 6:28

No. 4 In B Flat Major, K. 502 B-Dur • En Si Bémol Majeur 22:37

7. I Allegro 7:44

8. II Larghetto 8:50

9. III Allegretto 6:03

Credits

Cello – Daniel Müller-Schott

Piano – André Previn

Violin – Anne-Sophie Mutter

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