Mozart Symphonies No. 39 and No. 40 ?

[kriatina]

I know this is not a piano question
but if anyone knows about this I would appreciate an answer:

Has anyone listened to the original recording by Sir Thomas Beecham conducting
Symphonies No. 39 and No. 40 (LP: Philips ABL 3094) by Mozart?
These symphonies were composed by Mozart  in 1788 and said to have been modelled
on Haydn’s Symphony No. 26?
I was surprised how aggressive Sir Thomas Beecham conducts Mozart
and how coarse and unrefined he makes Mozart sound.

I was particularly surprised because after having read some of Mozart’s letters,
Mozart made absolutely sure that no misunderstanding could possibly occur
in that he wanted all his compositions to sound harmonious
and never ever offend the ear of the listener.
This comes particularly to light in his letters during 1781
when he explains in details his high principles about his own compositions.

I am a little confused about this particular recording.
Sir Thomas Beecham’s reputation does not match this recording.
 
If anyone has an opinion about the way he conducts these symphonies please let me know.

Thanks from Kristina.

[j_menz]

Perhaps in the years between 1781 and 1788 Mozart did some growing up.

[kriatina]

Perhaps in the years between 1781 and 1788 Mozart did some growing up.

I doubt that, because nothing indicates that Mozart ever “grew up” about people...
he remained practically “untouched” by people and their machinations/intrigues –
-   and very vulnerable because of that -  for the rest of his very short life...

In terms of music there was not much for Mozart “to grow up”   -   he practically “had it all”
from the very beginning of his life... and he lived in his own world of music...
always trying ever so hard to make a success of his life and music...

I mention this because his (very honest) letters do not indicate anything else...

This is why I am a little confused about this original recording (LP: Philips ABL 3094)
of Sir Thomas Beecham’s conducting Mozart's Symphonies No. 39 and No. 40
because Sir Thomas Beecham's reputation does not match this recording.

 Thanks from Kristina.

[j_menz]

No, what you are concerned about is that Beecham's recording does not match your preconception of these pieces. Find a recording that does. I doubt you'll find one.

If you don't believe that Mozart matured as a musician in his later years, you clearly haven't listened to much late Mozart.

[schubert_21]

I hate Beecham's Mozart.  It lacks clarity and is overly bombastic.