Mozart Piano [Concerto] Concertos – No. 23 in A major, K488; No. 24 in C minor, K491. Wilhelm Kempff (pf); Bamberg Symphony Orchestra / Ferdinand Leitner.

DG Galleria (Mid  price) (Cassette) 423 885-4GGA; (CD) 423 885-2GGA (56 minutes: ADD). From SLPM138645 (1/61).

Mozart Piano [Concerto] Concertos – No. 23 in A major, K488 a ; No. 24 in C minor, K491 b. Eine kleine Nachtmusik, K525 c. a Ivan Moravec (pf); ac Czech Chamber Orchestra / Josef Vlach; b Prague Chamber Orchestra / Paul Badura-Skoda (pf).

Supraphon Gems (Budget price) (CD) 2SUP0027 (75 minutes: AAD). Item marked a from 110 1768 (9/77), b 110 1176 (11/73), c new to UK.

Wilhelm Kempff's performances of these two celebrated concertos, one predominantly sunny despite its grave central movement and the other dramatic, won high praise on LP. Deservedly so, for they are poised and sensitive yet with passion where the music calls for it. The support that Leitner gives the pianist is just right, too, as indeed it is in some other recordings where they joined forces, such as the Beethoven piano concertos. Though at first the playing of both soloist and orchestra can seem restrained beside that of some other artists, it is satisfying and very musicianly. The 1960 recording shows its age a bit, not least in the string sound, but the piano quality is fine and at medium price this CD is good value.

At just about 75 minutes and bargain price together with some distinguished musical names, the Supraphon Gems issue looks worth considering too. But it is an odd mixture. Eine kleine Nachtmusik sounds heavy, both in its slowish delivery and in terms of orchestral numbers, and the sound of the upper strings is unpleasantly edgy. This gave me little if any pleasure. The concertos are much better, for both Ivan Moravec and Paul Badura-Skoda are accomplished Mozartians (the latter being more satisfyingly individual) and the Czech Chamber Orchestra under Josef Vlach sound a lot happier in K488 than they do in the string serenade, while the Prague Chamber Orchestra directed by Badura-Skoda from the keyboard are alert and sensitive. The sound is better too. In the finale of K491 the pianist chooses what is for my taste too fast a tempo, but makes a case for it. However, unless the price and the extra piece of music are critical factors for a buyer the DG Galleria issue of the two concertos is the one to choose here.
CH