Abstract cover with vibrant orange and yellow particles on dark background, text: London Symphony Orchestra, Mozart: Violin Concertos Nos 4 & 5 [download], plus LSO logo at the bottom.

Mozart: Violin Concertos Nos. 4 & 5

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Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider performs at the highest level as both conductor and virtuoso violin soloist, and for this album, the first of two releases exploring all five Mozart violin concertos, he directed the London Symphony Orchestra from his instrument, the 'Kreisler' Guarnerius 'del Gesu' 1741.

Whilst Mozart’s five violin concertos were all written when he was a teenager, there is no denying that the young composer’s growth in confidence and maturity is audible. A step up from his Third, Mozart’s Fourth violin concerto allows the instrument to take the lead, his orchestra providing a supporting role. Widely considered the most ‘grown up’ of his violin concertos, Mozart’s Fifth finishes with a spirited rondo, its solo’s leaping notes and exotic ornamentation leading to its nickname, 'Turkish'.

Speaking of his admiration for these works, Szeps-Znaider said: 'For me Mozart is the greatest composer, because he was able to express everything that Mahler was able to express in one hour and twenty minutes, that Wagner could do in five hours, Bruckner in seventy-two minutes, in twenty-three, twenty-four minutes. He could express the yearning and the desire and the pain of human existence and yet it felt so easy.'

Composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Conductor Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider
Soloist Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider
Performers London Symphony Orchestra

Violin Concerto No. 4 in D major, K. 218
1. I. Allegro
2. II. Andante cantabile
3. III. Rondeau: Andante grazioso - Allegro ma non troppo

Violin Concerto No. 5 in A major, K. 219, 'Turkish'
4. I. Allegro aperto - Adagio - Allegro aperto
5. II. Adagio
6. III. Rondeau: Tempo di Menuetto - Allegro - Tempo di Menuetto

Release Date 2 March 2018
SACD LSO0807 | 0822231180722
Digital LSO0807-D | 0822231180760

Producer Andrew Cornall
Engineers Classic Sound Ltd
Recorded 18 December 2016 & 14 May 2017, Barbican, London

DSD (Direct Stream Digital) recording

Booklet in English, French & German

FLAC - 24bit 96kHz - Compatible with Windows and Android devices
MP3 - 320kbps - Universal compatibility
SACD - Compatible with all CD players

Available on streaming services

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Reviews

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‘Possibly among the most exquisite violin sound ever captured on disc.’

- The Strad, Recommended Recording
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★★★★ ‘Highly polished accounts. Znaider and his players nail the characterful ending of the Fifth perfectly.’

- Classical Music Magazine
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★★★★ ‘Youthful works here garbed with more delicacy than usually afforded them, they bloom in the velvet-rich sound of the orchestra’s modern instruments but remain delightfully spry and finessed in adroitly judged period feel.’

- Classical Ear