Piano Concertos Vol.2: Kv449, 459/Divertimento Kv136

Jean-Efflam Bavouzet (piano) & Manchester Camerata, Gábor Takács-Nagy

The effervescent and communicative energy of Bavouzet and Takács-Nagy is encapsulated again in this second volume of their Mozart series. These exhilarating interpretations of Mozart’s piano concertos of 1784, faultlessly supported by the Manchester Camerata, follow highly praised concerts as well as a first volume which was ‘Editor’s Choice’ in Pianist.

The two concertos presented here are among the six that Mozart composed in Vienna in an extraordinarily productive year. As Bavouzet states in an exclusive personal note, they ‘share their association with operatic and symphonic styles. The contrasts of mood in their first movements and the cantilenas which serve as second movements relate them more closely with music for the operatic stage, while their finales are conceived in purely instrumental terms and make reference to the symphonic domain. On the other hand, these two works are complete opposites as far as their use of wind instruments is concerned. In KV 449 their inclusion is ad libitum, whereas they very often play the principal role in KV 459.’

Mozart:
 Piano Concerto No. 14 in E flat major, K449
 Piano Concerto No. 19 in F major, K459
 Divertimento in D major, K136
 Divertimento in F major, K138

"Bavouzet reveals himself a Mozartian every bit as mercurially imaginative and technically audacious as he already has been In the piano music of Haydn…The collaborative vigour of the concerto readings proves still more attractive. Particularly in the finales, buoyancy and moments of relaxation are balanced in a way that brought smiles of pleasure to this listener’s face."
BBC Music Magazine - November 2017 ****

"Bavouzet enjoys the pomp of the piano’s first entry in the opening movement of K449 but also its inward qualities, some of the most memorable moments comings when he is accompanying the orchestra. Highlights are too many to list but the solemn slow movement is certainly one of them."
Gramophone Magazine - October 2017

"The well-known K459 is sprightly and fresh, with delightful give and take between orchestra and soloist. The finale scampers wonderfully in one of the best performances available; Mozart’s cadenza is brilliantly done."
International Piano - November/December 2017 *****