The Complete Mozart Divertimentos: Historic First Recorded Edition

The idea of amassing a large collection of occasional music by Mozart would appear at first to be a luxury to any but the most fanatic of record collectors. But for those who know it well, this music is full of profound poetry. Its beauty emerges more and more with repeated listening and shows that the genius that created the symphonies, concerti, and operas could produce masterpieces for informal settings as well. The first series of concerts by the New York Philomusica Chamber Ensemble was held in New York City’s Town Hall in September, 1971. On the second program of the series, the great Divertimento No. 17 in D and its companion March were heard, soon thereafter recorded. Thus began a 3-year project to record all of the Breitkopf & Härtel edition of the "Complete Divertimentos of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart." No organization had sought to mount such an ambitious effort previously, nor has any since. The first completed recordings were issued in 1975 as "Vox Boxes," in LP format. In 1991 they were issued again, on CD. This edition is 2002. In each edition, the liner notes by Robert Levin have been updated to the latest standards of scholarship.

The great string divertimentos in this survey call forth from the violinists the most demanding range of musicality and instrumental skill. Peter Davis, reviewing the 1975 LPs for The New York Times noted "...a special pleasure in hearing the poised, lark-like flights of the two principal violinists, Isidore Cohen and Felix Galimir." That independent view is an apt expression of the gift so crucial to these performances' musical success.

Each of the six CDs is also available for individual purchase through Amazon.com.