Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 27 & Symphony No. 2

The Cleveland Orchestra
Franz Welser-Möst (conductor), Garrick Ohlsson (piano)

Cleveland Orchestra Label

Available exclusively on Apple Music from 12 September
https://www.clevelandorchestra.com/

This latest offering from The Cleveland Orchestra presents Mozart from two distinctly different phases of his compositional life, captured with the spatial audio clarity that has become a hallmark of their recent digital releases. The pairing of the youthful Symphony No. 29 with the mature elegance of the Piano Concerto No. 27 proves illuminating, revealing both the consistent thread of genius and the profound evolution in Mozart's artistic voice.

Under Franz Welser-Möst's direction, Symphony No. 29 emerges as a work of delightful vitality. Written when Mozart was merely eighteen the Cleveland Orchestra's controlled and nuanced approach reveals its true character. From the opening bars, the ensemble displays gorgeous dynamics and lovely phrasing that allows the work's inherent personality to shine through. Nothing feels overdone or exaggerated—this is immaculate playing that respects both the composer's youthful exuberance and his already evident mastery. The fourth movement fairly crackles with energetic fervour, its rhythmical intricacies delivered with a frisson of excitement that perfectly captures Mozart's infectious enthusiasm.

Garrick Ohlsson's contribution to the Piano Concerto No. 27 is exquisite. His playing demonstrates that rare combination of technical precision and interpretative sensitivity that transforms mere performance into genuine musical conversation. The dialogue between soloist and orchestra unfolds effortlessly, each voice maintaining its distinct character whilst contributing to a seamless whole. Ohlsson's approach embodies what might best be described as simplistic beauty—not simple in any reductive sense, but rather possessed of that classical clarity that renders complexity transparent.

The lucidity of Ohlsson's phrasing throughout is beautifully portrayed, particularly evident in the finale, which achieves that perfect balance of graceful elegance and rhythmic vitality that marks Mozart's mature style. Together with Welser-Möst, Ohlsson creates a sense of spaciousness around the music, allowing each phrase to breathe naturally while maintaining the work's architectural integrity.

The engineering, captured live at Severance Music Center's Mandel Concert Hall, serves the music admirably. The spatial audio format enhances rather than distracts, providing a sense of presence that brings listeners into the concert hall without overwhelming the natural balance between soloist and orchestra.

This recording stands as a testament to the sustained excellence of the Cleveland Orchestra under Welser-Möst's leadership. It's presented with vitality, enthusiasm, and élan—qualities that transform what could have been a routine Mozart release into a glorious disc that reminds us why these works have endured. The orchestra's fifteenth release since launching their label in 2020 maintains the high standards that have distinguished their recent catalogue, offering both seasoned Mozart enthusiasts and newcomers to these works a recording of genuine distinction.