Mozart: The Last Three Symphonies Orchestra of the 18th Century & Frans Brüggen

• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791): Symphony No. 39 in E-Flat Major, K. 543:
• 1 Symphony No. 39 in E-Flat Major, K. 543: I. Adagio - Allegro 11:13
• 2 Symphony No. 39 in E-Flat Major, K. 543: II. Andante con moto 08:24
• 3 Symphony No. 39 in E-Flat Major, K. 543: III. Menuetto: Allegretto 03:42
• 4 Symphony No. 39 in E-Flat Major, K. 543: IV. Finale: Allegro 08:05
• Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, K. 550:
• 5 Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, K. 550: I. Molto allegro 06:51
• 6 Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, K. 550: II. Andante 06:47
• 7 Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, K. 550: III. Menuetto: Allegretto 03:48
• 8 Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, K. 550: IV. Allegro assai 04:55
• Symphony No. 41 in C Major, K. 551 "Jupiter":
• 9 Symphony No. 41 in C Major, K. 551 "Jupiter": I. Allegro vivace 11:42
• 10 Symphony No. 41 in C Major, K. 551 "Jupiter': II. Andante cantabile 10:27
• 11 Symphony No. 41 in C Major, K. 551 "Jupiter": III. Menuetto: Allegretto 04:18
• 12 Symphony No. 41 in C Major, K. 551 "Jupiter": IV. Molto Allegro 11:39
• Total Runtime 01:31:51

Info for Mozart: The Last Three Symphonies

More than three decades have elapsed since Frans Brüggen set down his earlier visions of the three final symphonies by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart with his Orchestra of the Eigtheenth Century. Now, he has chosen to release his new views of these contrasting yet complementary works as part of his Grand Tour series on Glossa. The Dutch maestro has been regularly engaging with the music of the Salzburg genius throughout the time of his musical journey with the Orchestra of the Eighteent Century and the symphonies of Mozart have frequently appeared in their concert schedules.

If the precise, original performing locations for these symphonies remain elusive, the three works – “Jupiter”, K551, the E flat major, K543, and that “evergreen study in the key of G minor”, K550, known by people all around the world as the “Mozart 40” – all clamour for constant and fresh interpretations; these are precisely what Frans Brügge delivers. Recordings on Glossa from Brüggen in recent times – always made whilst on tour – have included Mozart’s concertos for horn, clarinet and violin, as well as the Requiem.

With Stefano Russomanno providing a wellconsidered booklet essay, this new release of the three final Mozart symphonies, available on two CDs and recorded live in Rotterdam, provides eloquent testimony to Frans Brüggen’s ability to summon up the expressiveness and spontaneity demanded by Mozart’s masterpieces from 1788.

“Brüggen, once in the forefront of historically informed practices, has gradually been ploughing his own furrow; and these discs offer examples of his current thoughts that nonetheless still incorporate swift minuets and the use of period instruments. Not heard anywhere is a literal sound-facsimile of notes. Brüggen interprets them as he feels fit.” (Gramophone Magazine)

“Anyone who admires Bruggen’s approach […] is going to be delighted with these performances. Very impressive achievement. Wonderful sound … these performances have such imagination and stature. The live recorded sound is excellent.” (International Record Review)

Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century
Frans Brüggen, conductor

Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century
In 1981, Frans Brüggen, in his time the world’s most famous recorder player, founded the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century, which consists today of some fifty members from 23 different countries. Three (or more) times a year the orchestra assembles to go on tour. In its structure and size, the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century resembles the luxurious “Classical” orchestras of the period as we know them from London, Paris and Vienna. The musicians, who are all specialists in eighteenth and nineteenth century music, play on period instruments, or on contemporary copies. It is their intention to try to achieve the most authentic as possible performances of the masterpieces of the late baroque and classical era.

In concert Frans Brüggen’s wide-ranging repertoire with his Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century includes works by Purcell, Bach, Rameau, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Mendelssohn. After nearly 50 CDs on Philips, the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century has been recording exclusively for Glossa since 1997, in co-production with their own production house, The Grand Tour. Notable recordings which have been produced so far include Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto and music by a composer who Frans Brüggen has often returned to throughout his career, Jean-Philippe Rameau.

At the time of its foundation the Orchestra was supported by friends throughout the world and the Prince Bernhard Foundation. From 1983 to 1988 the orchestra was sponsored by IBM Europe. From 1989 till 1997 Deloitte and the VSB Fonds took over the sponsorship. Subsidies from the Dutch Government guaranteed the Orchestra’s continuation from 1985 till now.

Frans Brüggen
is considered among the foremost experts in the performance of eighteenth century music. He was born in Amsterdam and studied musicology at its university. At the age of 21, he was appointed professor at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague and later held a position as Erasmus professor at Harvard University and Regents professor at the University of Berkeley.

As Luciano Berio wrote of him, he is “a musician who is not an archaeologist but a great artist”. In August 1991, Brüggen made his debut at the Salzburg Festival with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, an orchestra with which he became (along with Simon Rattle) a principal guest conductor. His continuing work with this orchestra sees him hold the position of Emeritus Conductor.

Frans Brüggen’s conducting activities in recent seasons have included collaborations with the Philharmonia Orchestra, Rotterdam Philharmonic, Munich Philharmonic, Orchestre de Paris, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, Orchestra Sinfonica dell’Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, New Japan Philharmonic, Chicago Philharmonic and the San Francisco Symphony.

This album contains no booklet.