Mozart: Violin Concertos, Vol. 2 - KV 207, KV 211 & KV 219 'Turkish' in Bloomington, MN

The May-December aspect of this release just about makes it irresistible on its face; violinist
Francesca Dego
was in her early thirties in 2022 when this album appeared, and it is said to mark the swan song of octogenarian conductor
Roger Norrington
, leading the
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
. For this modern-instrument performance, historical-performance specialist
Norrington
scales back some of his usual edgy ideas (no doubt to the delight of his many detractors), although many traces of historical performance practice remain. The orchestra is pared back, and vibrato is restricted. What this accomplishes is to set off
Dego
's startlingly beautiful tone and lively spontaneity.
and
are in close communication throughout in this fine example of concerto playing.
contributes a booklet note to this
Chandos
release that summarizes his methods in this music, condensing them to six factors that are worth a read. It all serves the music where
Mozart
's growing ability to draw solo-orchestral contrasts is given its full due.
adds light ornamentation, as if spontaneously. The entire performance is bubbly and endlessly varied, and
increasingly seems an emerging star. ~ James Manheim