Critic's Chair: Mozart's Instrumental Oratorium

MOZART: Symphony No 39 in Eb K543; Symphony No 40 in G minor K550; Symphony No 41 in C K551, Jupiter
Concentus Musicus Wien/Nikolaus Harnoncourt
(Sony 88843 02635)

This recording features Mozart's final three symphonies, performed by the Concentus Musicus Wien. Conductor Nikolaus Harnoncourt has chosen to interpret the three symphonies as a single work in three sections. Our reviewer Peter Mechen explains to Hannah Sassman why he would rather hear each work as a separate entity, and tells us what he thinks of the historic performance practice on this recording.