Mozart’s Last Symphonies (Live) Richard Tognetti & Australian Chamber Orchestra

• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 - 1791): Symphony No.39 in E Flat Major, K.543:
• 1 1. Adagio - Allegro (Live) 10:03
• 2 2. Andante con moto (Live) 07:42
• 3 3. Menuetto (Allegretto) (Live) 03:31
• 4 4. Finale (Allegro) (Live) 07:50
• Symphony No.40 In G Minor, K.550:
• 5 1. Molto allegro (Live) 07:13
• 6 2. Andante (Live) 10:00
• 7 3. Menuetto (Allegretto) - Trio (Live) 03:54
• 8 4. Finale (Allegro assai) (Live) 09:20
• Symphony No. 41 In C Major, K.551 - "Jupiter":
• 9 1. Allegro vivace (Live) 11:25
• 10 2. Andante cantabile (Live) 09:40
• 11 3. Menuetto (Allegretto) (Live) 04:49
• 12 4. Molto allegro (Live) 08:21
• Total Runtime 01:33:48

Info for Mozart’s Last Symphonies (Live)

“One thing you get with Mozart, and no other composer comes close, is dancing on your own joy.” (Richard Tognetti)

The Australian Chamber Orchestra, directed from the violin by Richard Tognetti, presents a triumphant account of Mozart’s three final symphonies.

This live recording captures the energy and vivacity of the performances given as part of the ACO’s 40th anniversary celebrations in 2015 – concerts that were described as ‘magnificent’ by The Sydney Morning Herald and ‘miraculous’ by the Daily Telegraph. The same program was previously performed by the ACO 26 years ago, when Richard Tognetti – newly appointed as Artistic Director – performed these three symphonies under the visionary baton of early music legend Frans Brüggen.

Since its establishment in November 1975, the Australian Chamber Orchestra has become renowned globally for its inspired programming, unrivalled virtuosity, energy and individuality, showcased through an extensive and ongoing program of international touring and recordings for many of the world’s top labels.

Composed over the course of just six weeks, these inspirational works represent the pinnacle of artistic achievement: from the sunny lyricism of the 39th, to the tragic cast of the 40th, to the inspired invention of the 41st – the ‘Jupiter’ – they form a mighty epitaph to the work of Mozart’s musical genius.

“In a crowded market, this pair of discs of Mozart’s last three symphonies strands out, and will, I imagine, prove controversial…the opening bars of the Jupiter (No. 41) positively bark at you, and the harsh dissonances in the introduction to No. 39 have never before been as harsh as this. On the other hand, Tognetti slows down, regularly, before a lyrical subject and in general lets tempos ebb and flow in an unfashionable way” (BBC Music Magazine)

“Not surprisingly, perhaps, his interpretations are rather raucous themselves, with urgent tempi, sinewy sonorities and an aggressively muscular approach to phrasing and articulation…the ACO play with gusto and admirable virtuosity” (Gramophone Magazine)

“The approach is typically large-scale and imposing: this 21st-century fusion of modern instruments with period ideas creates a fullness of sound that sometimes belies the fact that it is a chamber orchestra...but which is always combined with a transparency and litheness that make it constantly engaging and worthwhile.” (The Guardian)

Australian Chamber Orchestra
Richard Tognetti, conductor

Richard Tognetti
Australian violinist, conductor and composer, Richard Tognetti has established an international reputation for his compelling performances and artistic individualism. He studied at the Sydney Conservatorium with Alice Waten, in his home town of Wollongong with William Primrose, and at the Berne Conservatory (Switzerland) with Igor Ozim, where he was awarded the Tschumi Prize as the top graduate soloist in 1989. Later that year he was appointed Leader of the Australian Chamber Orchestra and subsequently became Artistic Director. He is also Artistic Director of the Maribor Festival in Slovenia and Creative Associate of Classical Music for Melbourne Festival.

Tognetti performs on period, modern and electric instruments. His numerous arrangements, compositions and transcriptions have expanded the chamber orchestra repertoire and been performed throughout the world.

As director or soloist, Tognetti has appeared with the Handel & Haydn Society (Boston), Hong Kong Philharmonic, Camerata Salzburg,Tapiola Sinfonietta, Irish Chamber Orchestra, Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg, Nordic Chamber Orchestra and the Australian symphony orchestras. He conducted Mozart's Mitridate for the Sydney Festival and gave the Australian premiere of Ligeti’s Violin Concerto with the Sydney Symphony.

Tognetti has collaborated with colleagues from across various art forms and artistic styles, including Joseph Tawadros, Dawn Upshaw, James Crabb, Emmanuel Pahud, Jack Thompson, Katie Noonan, Neil Finn,Tim Freedman, Paul Capsis, Bill Henson and Michael Leunig.

In 2003, Tognetti was co-composer of the score for Peter Weir’s Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World; violin tutor for its star, Russell Crowe; and can also be heard performing on the award-winning soundtrack. In 2005, he co-composed the soundtrack to Tom Carroll’s surf film Horrorscopes and, in 2008, created The Red Tree, inspired by illustrator Shaun Tan’s book. He co-created and starred in the 2008 documentary film Musica Surfica, which has won best film awards at surf film festivals in the USA, Brazil, France and South Africa.

As well as directing numerous recordings by the ACO, Tognetti has recorded Bach’s solo violin repertoire for ABC Classics, winning three consecutive ARIA awards, and the Dvorak and Mozart Violin Concertos for BIS.

A passionate advocate for music education,Tognetti established the ACO’s Education and Emerging Artists programs in 2005.

Richard Tognetti was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2010. He holds honorary doctorates from three Australian universities and was made a National Living Treasure in 1999. He performs on a 1743 Guarneri del Gesù violin, lent to him by an anonymous Australian private benefactor.

This album contains no booklet.