This recording begins with the Violin Concerto No. 1 in B-flat major, K. 207, which Mozart wrote between 1773-1775. It has a lot of joyful melodies in it, which Ms. Frang plays very well. To me, personally, this music has always been somewhat immature in its development and overall interest.
Next is the Violin Concerto No. 5 in A – major, K. 219, written in 1775. People often refer to it as the “Turkish Concerto” because of some Turkish-inflected elements in the finale. This is the final violin concerto that Mozart composed, and it probably is the one performed most frequently.
The second and third movements of this work, an Adagio and Menuetto, are graceful and elegant. I always enjoy listening to these.
The CD ends with the Sinfonia Concertante in E – flat for violin and viola, K364, from 1779, and here violist Maxim Rysanov plays the viola part with Ms. Frang. The piece displays a more notable weightiness and maturity in its orchestration than any of Mozart’s violin concertos. What’s more, it remains the highlight of the set, and the two soloists perform it with great enthusiasm.
Here is Ms. Frang in the Sinfonia Concertante by Mozart:
