Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 39, 40 & 41

Nikolaus Harnoncourt

"Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 39, 40, 41"

New 2-CD Set

On The Last Symphonies, Nikolaus Harnoncourt explores his fascinating new interpretation of the composer s last three symphonies; that they are one whole work which he calls Mozart's Instrumental Oratorium. Harnoncourt argues that, in terms of structure, the first movement of Symphony No. 39 is the Prelude of the Instrumental Oratorium, while the last movement of Symphony No. 41is the Finale. He points out that Symphony No. 39 has no real ending, while Symphony No. 40 has no real beginning, and only Symphony No. 41 has a finale. Harnoncourt points to a number of factors as further proof of his new interpretation musical themes that are evident throughout all three symphonies, the fact that Mozart wrote these works without commission all in one summer, and that he didn t write any more symphonies in the last three years of his life this was his last statement. The Last Symphonies: Mozart's Instrumental Oratorium was recorded for the first time with Harnoncourt s own ensemble Concentus Musicus Wien, which he founded in 1953.

ABOUT NIKOLAUS HARNONCOURT
Nikolaus Harnoncourt was born in Berlin in 1929 and grew up in Graz, Austria. He has performed and recorded Haydn, Beethoven, Schumann, Schubert, Mendelssohn and Brahms together with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. He has received numerous international awards for his work. There are nearly 500 recordings in his discography, which have been awarded all the major international Classical prizes, including a Grammy Award® in 2002 for his recording of the St Matthew Passion.


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