Mozart, Piano Concerto No.19 in F major, K. 459

Synopsis

The soloist in this concerto conducted by Karl Böhm and played by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra is Maurizio Pollini, one of the most enigmatic figures in today's musical world. Although he approaches the repertoire in a profoundly spiritual manner, Pollini does not ban brilliance and dazzling virtuosity from his playing. His lyrical and intense art makes him predestined for Mozart, whose works he has been interpreting in a completely new light for many years now. Mozart wrote his concerto K. 459 in 1784 as one of the six concertos written in that year for a series of subscription concerts in which he regularly played a new work of his own creation. Its first movement begins with a jaunty rhythm reminiscent of that used in the Symphonies K. 550 and 551. The orchestra claims equal partnership right away, the masterful interplay of the winds, strings and solo instrument revealing the full extent of Mozart's innovative treatment of the concerto form. Maurizio Pollini first drew widespread attention when he won the first prize at the Chopin Competition in Warsaw in 1960 and was expressly praised by Arthur Rubinstein, the president of the jury. Surprisingly, he turned down the many offers of performances he then received in order to "listen" and meditate. It was only after working with Michelangeli that he launched his international career. A socially committed artist, he rejected all forms of elitism. He has played for workers in factories and given concerts to support political causes. In addition to the romantic repertoire, which he masters superbly, he has always shown a predilection for contemporary works, especially those of Stockhausen and Nono. He recorded this concerto at Vienna's Musikvereinssaal in April 1976. Karl Böhm conducts the Vienna Philharmonic.

Additional Info

• No: A05500610
• Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
• Conductor: Karl Böhm
• Orchestra: Wiener Philharmoniker
• Artists: Maurizio Pollini
• Production year: 1976
• Run time: 00:31:00
• Director: Hugo Käch
• Producers: Unitel
• Format: Normal