Mozart [Divertimento] Divertimentos – No. 2 in D, K131; No. 15 in B flat, K287/K271H. Capella Istropolitana / Harald Nerat.

Naxos (Super budget price) (CD) 8 550996 (73 minutes: DDD).

I have already expressed admiration for the Mozart playing of Harald Nerat and this 12-year-old chamber orchestra based in the Slovak capital Bratislava, and this new disc merely confirms my view of them as an excellent ensemble under the direction of a skilful conductor (Nerat, incidentally, also plays viola in the Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra: his recording of three Mozart cassations, 4/93, figured in my 1993 "Critics' choice").

Each of the divertimentos here has six movements; three in the longer B flat major work last over eight minutes. Nerat and his players bring plenty of spring to this music, which is bouncy and graceful by turns, but their phrasing remains affectionate and textures are finely balanced, the horns in both works coming through at just the right level. Though no one should claim especial depth for this music, it is distinctly attractive and, as here presented, unfailingly enjoyable. For a sample, try the Adagio fourth movement of K287, in which violins gently (though twice stratospherically) sing over a pizzicato bass: a beautiful piece, and not the only one of Mozart's in which one seems to hear Gluck's beneficent influence. I also much enjoyed the leader's violin recitative in the slow introduction to the finale of the same work.

The Divertimento in D, K131, features a flute, oboe and bassoon as well as horns and strings. This, too, is played with considerable panache and no lack of charm. I like Nerat's way with slow movements, which sing and yet never lose momentum or sink into those chuggings which make Mozart's music sound as if the beat were a quaver rather than a crotchet. The recording is good and the disc excellent value.

CH