Mackerras: Mozart – Symphonies 38-41 (24/88 FLAC)

Orchestra: Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Conductor: Sir Charles Mackerras
Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Audio CD
SPARS Code: DDD
Number of Discs: 2 Hybrid SACD – DSD
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Linn Records
Size: 2.36 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes

01. Symphony No. 38 in D major (‘Prague’), K.504 – I Adagio – Allegro
02. Symphony No. 38 in D major (‘Prague’), K.504 – II Andante
03. Symphony No. 38 in D major (‘Prague’), K.504 – III Finale: Presto
04. Symphony No. 39 in E flat major, K.543 – I Adagio
05. Symphony No. 39 in E flat major, K.543 – II Andante con moto
06. Symphony No. 39 in E flat major, K.543 – III Minuetto Allegro
07. Symphony No. 39 in E flat major, K.543 – IV Finale: Allegro
08. Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K.550 – I Molto allegro
09. Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K.550 – II Andante
10. Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K.550 – III Menuetto: Allegretto
11. Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K.550 – IV Allegro assai
12. Symphony No. 41 in C major (‘Jupiter’), K.551 – I Allegro vivace
13. Symphony No. 41 in C major (‘Jupiter’), K.551 – II Andante cantabile
14. Symphony No. 41 in C major (‘Jupiter’), K.551 – III Menuetto: Allegretto
15. Symphony No. 41 in C major (‘Jupiter’), K.551 – IV Molto allegro

Spectacular sound quality on this SACD containing Superb Performances of Symphonies 38-41

In terms of audio quality this is a spectacular SACD with Charles Mackerras conducting the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in performing arguably Mozart’s most famous Symphonies. I’ve purchased over 50 SACDs in the past 18 months. Almost all offer significantly greater clarity and detail but this 2-SACD set ranks among the very best. Moreover Mackerras, to my ear, provides superb interpretations of Mozart’s Symphonies. His complete Mozart Symphony cycle with the Prague Chamber Orchestra on regular CDs from Telarc set a very high standard as Telarc, at least at that time (before, so I understand, they were bought out and the quality of their recordings went down), typically produced among the highest audio quality CDs on the market. Mackerras’ performance with the Scottish Symphony is similarly superb and the audio quality of this 2-CD set is even better than the Telarc cycle.

Two additional notes. First, while Mackerras’ other available SACD set – a 2-SACD set containing the 29th, 31st, 32nd, 35th and 36th Symphonies – is very enjoyable, the sound quality on that set, while very good, is not as vibrant as the sound on this set (an “A” or “A-“ as opposed to an “A+”). Second, to my ear, Adam Fischer and the Danish National Chamber Orchestra also offer a marvelous SACD cycle of the Mozart Symphonies which are available in single SACD packages. Since both are, in my opinion, marvelous, listeners may want to examine the Symphonies offered on each individual CD or CD-set and pick the SACD, regardless of conductor/orchestra, which contains the symphonies they prefer.

Mozart via Scotland

Forget reading the reviews – get these CDs. All the superlatives in the language can’t express the exquisite music that awaits you when you play these recordings. Superb musicians led by an astute conductor whose heart is in it, that is a given. No cerebral Mozart here. The size of the orchestra is just right to clearly display the color and instrumental lines to perfection. If one could hear what Mozart heard in his head when he composed these symphonies, this surely must be it. As to the recording, Telarc move over; there is a new company exceeding the quality of your product in spades. These are the best recordings I have ever heard, and I have heard a lot. I pray that Linn continues to produce these CDs. I am going to keep this short because I want to settle in and listen to these beautiful symphonies again. And again.