Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 38-41

Among Charles Mackerras’ many specialties, Mozart occupied a unique place. The conductor’s long experience of the operas gave his performances of the symphonies a drama and theatricality that makes them so appealing. His blending of “period” manners with modern instruments (though with period brass) gives these four works a freshness and modernity of approach, while also looking back to a scale that the composer would surely have recognized and appreciated. Beautifully recorded, this a classy collection of Mozart’s greatest symphonies.