Mozart: Five essential works

Solemn Vespers

Mozart wrote several choral pieces, but few are as ravishing as the solo towards the end of this otherwise lively work.

Recommended recording:
Kiri Te Kanawa; London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus/Sir Colin Davis
Philips 412 8732

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String Quartet No. 19 in C, ‘Dissonance’

The final string quartet Mozart composed for a Haydn-dedicated set, this starts with a harmonically adventurous passage.

Recommended recording:
Belcea Quartet
EMI 344 4552

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Piano Concerto No. 21 in C, K467

Mozart’s Piano Concertos are among his greatest achievements, revealing both his orchestral skill and his sense of drama.

Recommended recording:
Jonathan Biss; Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
EMI 217 2702

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The Marriage of Figaro

Mozart’s comic masterpiece courted controversy by showing a vain aristocrat being bested by his servants, but continues to entertain with its brilliant depth of characterisation.

Recommended recording:
Sena Jurinac, Graziella Scuitti, Rise Stevens; Glyndebourne Festival Chorus & Orchestra/Vittorio Gui
EMI 476 9422

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Symphonies Nos 39-41

In an extraordinary burst of creativity, Mozart composed his last three symphonies in less than three months – and every one a masterpiece.

Recommended recording:
Scottish Chamber Orchestra/Sir Charles Mackerras
Linn CKD 308

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