New York Philharmonic 12-04-2007

Avery Fisher Hall

New York (New York), USA.

12 - April - 2007.

Total Running Time - 84:06

Riccardo Muti, conductor

Gerhard Oppitz, piano

01. - Announcer 0:35 -
* Haydn: Symphony No. 85 in B-flat, "La Reine de France" *
02. Adagio Vivace 8:18
03. Romance (Allegretto) 7:13
04. Menuetto (Allegretto) 4:06

05. Finale (Presto) 3:39

06. - Announcer 0:29 -
* Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 19 in F KV 459 *
07. Allegro 12:28

08. Allegretto 7:43

09. Allegro Assai 8:04

10. - Announcer 0:30 -
* Schubert: Symphony No. 4 in C minor D 417, "Tragic" *
11. Adagio Molto - Allegro Vivace 9:49
12. Andante 10:03
13. Menuetto (Allegro Vivace) 3:19 

14. Allegro 7:50

Recording Equipment - History

FM Broadcast > SoundBlaster > WAV > flac

Taper: Antimudshark

Additional notes of the date's program (Antimudshark):

* FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN (1732-1809) *
Symphony No. 85, "La Reine de France" (1785)
It was a composer’s dream come true: a handsome commissioning fee paid by one of the wealthiest Masonic lodges in Paris for six symphonies to be played by an orchestra of 67 musicians and to be performed in the luxury of the Loge Olympique’s Salle de Spectacle. Le tout Paris would attend—including Marie Antoinette. (By contrast, at the estate of his employer, Duke Nicholas Esterházy, Haydn was accustomed to his small band of around two dozen players.) After Haydn became Kapellmeister at Esterháza in 1761 his reputation—particularly as a symphonist—soon spread beyond the borders of Austria-Hungary. In his lifetime he would compose 104! Symphony No. 85 is a cheerful, lively work that incorporates variations on an old French folk tune in its second movement. Queen Marie Antoinette declared this symphony to be her favorite—thereby accounting for its nickname, “The Queen of France.”

* WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART (1756-1791) *
Piano Concerto No. 19, K. 459 (1784)
The stats for Mozart’s output of piano concertos are astonishing: a total of 27, spanning most his lifetime; his first came in 1767 at the age of 11; his last in 1791, the year he died. While in Vienna, he composed 15 piano concertos between 1782 and 1786; six in the year 1784 alone, with the Concerto No. 19 coming two weeks before Christmas. Writing to his father Leopold, Mozart described his concerto output for that year: “These concertos are a happy medium between what is too easy and too difficult; they are very brilliant, pleasing to the ear, and natural, without being vapid. There are passages here and there from which connoisseurs alone can derive satisfaction; but these passages are written in such a way that the less learned cannot fail to be pleased, though without knowing why.” When he arrived in the imperial city of Vienna in 1781, he was the toast of the town and acclaimed for his prodigious keyboard technique.
It was a common practice of the day for composers to show off their talents and composition at benefit performances—so-called “academies”— they held to raise money for themselves. The Piano Concerto No. 19 was likely premiered at just such an academy. One of Mozart’s personal favorites, this work has a sunny disposition and is charming and elegant at the same time. Listen for the graceful interplay between soloist and orchestra.

* FRANZ SCHUBERT (1897-1828) *
Symphony No. 4, “Tragic” (1816)
Though best known for his more than 600 songs, Schubert strove to master the symphonic form. The son of a poor schoolmaster, he was fortunate enough to win a place in the choir at Vienna’s imperial Kapelle. In exchange, he enjoyed an excellent education, with particular emphasis on music. Young Schubert got to know Haydn, Mozart, and his idol, Beethoven, by performing their music in a student orchestra. He used his free time to compose and was just 19 when he completed the Symphony No. 4. Many have wondered about the nickname “Tragic” for this work; but the answer is unclear. The symphony is written in a minor key and opens on a serious note, but Schubert’s great lyric gift shines through. His tragically short life poses the question: if he could create such beauty at such a young age, what might he have composed had he lived longer? Buried near Beethoven, as he desired, his epitaph reads: “The art of music here entombed a rich possession, but even fairer hopes.”

Comments

Awesome sound quality in this recording that features a fantastic concert. Note that April 12th 2007, was the broadcast date.