Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Posthorn SerenadePrague Chamber Orchestra, Charles Mackerras conducting.
Telarc CD 80108 (CD). Robert Woods, prod., Jack Renner, eng. DDD. Holt's First Law of Recording states: "The better the performance, the worse the recording—and vice versa." It's true; really fine recordings of superb musical performances are so rare that the discovery of one such gem is cause for rejoicing. Well, you can rejoice: this is one of them. Although Charles Mackerras has recorded a number of major works, including operas, especially by Janácek, he is best-known among audiophiles for his recordings of frothy ballet music like Pineapple Poll, which he instills with a buoyant elan that few conductors seem to be able to muster these days. Mozart's chamber works, however, demand more than mere sprightliness. In fact, there is only one particular style of light, incisive orchestral playing that catches the spirit of Mozart's music, and most conductors simply can't do it properly. Eine Kleine Nachtmusik ("A Little Night Music"), in particular, has suffered untold disservice at the hands of conductors who are all too obviously bored with this chestnut. Heavy-handed dullness has become a hallmark of recorded performances; Mackerras here manages to make it sound like a newfound work.
