Alfred Brendel’s Mozart concerto recordings for Philips remain among the most respected modern interpretations of these works. This new compilation–Concertos Nos. 15 and 21 (performances from 1981 digital masters), and 23 (a 1971 analog recording)–forms another distinguished installment in the Philips 50 series. The account of Concerto No. 15 is especially noteworthy: Brendel achieves playing that’s pin-sharp in focus and lucidly articulate in the running bravura sections. His scrupulous clarity depends on the keyboard/finger interface alone, hardly ever touching the pedals, yet attaining much of the ear-pricking transparency you’d expect from a classical-period fortepiano.
K. 467 is splendid too, though Brendel’s choice of cadenzas by Radu Lupu came in for some critical scrutiny at this recording’s initial release. Both outer movements display the customary Brendel polish and racy metrical precision, and Neville Marriner secures fine orchestral balance throughout, with exciting dynamic contrasts in the martial ritornello of the first movement. The famous “Elvira Madigan” andante again finds Brendel achieving exemplary clarity with minimal pedalling. K. 488, the happy-sad-happy A major concerto, is pre-digital and evinces virtues similar to those of its digital discmates. Philips’ transfers are immaculate, though the recordings were well engineered in the first place.
