RUDOLF SERKIN PLAYS MOZART PIANO CONCERTOS (6 CDs)

Known for his intense, insightful interpretations of the classical repertoire, Rudolf Serkin was one of the great American pianists of the mid-century, and seldom was he more in his element than when playing Mozart. This new six-CD release unites for the first time fourteen Mozart concerto recordings made at the height of his career, between 1951 and 1977. “His is not a raised-little-finger type of Mozart; it is rugged, has contour, and is a welcome relief from the pretty-pretty conceptions heard only too often”, wrote Gramophone of a 1955 recording with the Columbia Symphony Orchestra and Alexander Schneider. With the same orchestra, Serkin is “ideally matched” (AllMusic Guide) with conductor George Szell; elsewhere he partners Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra, as well as Pablo Casals at the cellist-conductor’s festival in Perpignan for No. 22 (“exultant and miraculous” – BBC Music Magazine). Recordings from the Marlboro Festival include the Concerto No. 10 for two pianos with his then-teenage son Peter Serkin.

Mozart: Concerto for 2 Pianos and Orchestra No. 10 in E flat, K365
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 9 in E-flat major, K271 "Jeunehomme"
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 10 in E flat major K365 (originally for two pianos)
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 11 in F major, K413
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 12 in A major, K414
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 14 in E flat major, K449
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 16 in D major, K451
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 17 in G major, K453
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 19 in F major, K459
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K466
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, K467 'Elvira Madigan'
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 22 in E flat major, K482
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major, K488
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 25 in C major, K503
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 27 in B flat major, K595
Mozart: Rondo for Piano & Orchestra in A major, K386
Mozart: Rondo for Piano & Orchestra in D major, K382
Mozart: Rondo in A minor, K511