Known for his intense, insightful interpretations of the classical repertoire, Rudolf Serkin was one of the great American pianists of the mid-century, and seldom was he more in his element than when playing Mozart. This new six-CD release unites for the first time fourteen Mozart concerto recordings made at the height of his career, between 1951 and 1977. “His is not a raised-little-finger type of Mozart; it is rugged, has contour, and is a welcome relief from the pretty-pretty conceptions heard only too often”, wrote Gramophone of a 1955 recording with the Columbia Symphony Orchestra and Alexander Schneider. With the same orchestra, Serkin is “ideally matched” (AllMusic Guide) with conductor George Szell; elsewhere he partners Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra, as well as Pablo Casals at the cellist-conductor’s festival in Perpignan for No. 22 (“exultant and miraculous” – BBC Music Magazine). Recordings from the Marlboro Festival include the Concerto No. 10 for two pianos with his then-teenage son Peter Serkin.
Mozart: Concerto for 2 Pianos and Orchestra No. 10 in E flat, K365 Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 9 in E-flat major, K271 "Jeunehomme" Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 10 in E flat major K365 (originally for two pianos) Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 11 in F major, K413 Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 12 in A major, K414 Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 14 in E flat major, K449 Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 16 in D major, K451 Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 17 in G major, K453 Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 19 in F major, K459 Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K466 Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, K467 'Elvira Madigan' Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 22 in E flat major, K482 Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major, K488 Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 25 in C major, K503 Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 27 in B flat major, K595 Mozart: Rondo for Piano & Orchestra in A major, K386 Mozart: Rondo for Piano & Orchestra in D major, K382 Mozart: Rondo in A minor, K511
