W. A. Mozart: Symphony #40

My 2-cent recommendation: a) Prague Chamber Orchestra / Mackerras Still my favourite choice. Rapid pace, exciting and filled with drama. After recording the Mozart symphonies with Prague Chamber Orch. in 1987 Sir Charles recorded the series again with the Scottish Chamber Orch., I heard from a bird the recording quality on the latter series is much better. b) Berlin Philharmonic Orch. / Bohm Growing on me... Controlled and well balanced without sacrificing color. The recording quality is something to be desired for. c) Academy of St. Martin in the Fields (ASMF) / Marriner Smooth and fluent without sacrificing the thrill of the ride. A very systematic and rhythmic performance. Uniquely ASMF and Marriner, the brand of magic only they can produce. It figures why Marriner & ASMF were selected to perform for the movie Amadeus. d) Bruno Walter One other recording worth mentioning is by the late Sir Bruno Walter. Being a close friend of Mahler one might say Bruno Walter is almost legendary when comes to Mahler symphonies. However his approach to Mozart's symphony #40 is quite unique and refreshing. Especially

W. A. Mozart: Piano Concerto 23 (KV488) & 19 (KV459)

My 2-cent recommendation:

Maurizio Polinni / Vienna Philharmonic Orch. / Karl Bohm

This is my all time favourite Mozart piano concerto (especially the second movement). This recording exemplifies the genious of Mozart. A perfect collaboration between Pollini and Karl Bohm. The performances are genial and unhurried, often very poetic but never lacking in drive or motive power. Pollini's playing is refined and beautifully poised and the Vienna Philharmonic plays with sparkle and affection for Böhm.

Beethoven Symphony #5

My 2-cent recommendation:

a) Vienna Philharmonic Orch. / Carlos Kleiber

In June 1975, Deutsche Grammophon released its first symphonic recording with Carlos Kleiber and the Vienna Philharmonic. It was of a single (and pretty short) symphony, Beethoven’s Fifth. Richard Osborne, defiantly flouting the Editor’s commissioned wordage, submitted a review three times the length requested. But he’d spotted a winner and within months, this blazing Fifth had become a Classic Recording.