Despite the limitations of life in his Salzburg birthplace – and the patronage of a new and somewhat unsympathetic Prince-Archbishop – opportunities nevertheless presented themselves to Mozart. Following a commission for Il re pastore in 1775, he wrote a sequence of violin concertos that reveal his own performer’s understanding of the instrument. The concertos are suffused with elegance, vivacity and wit. Mozart’s mastery of solo violin cantilena is matched by prodigious melodic invention and moments of exotic colour, such as the Turkish episode in the Rondeau finale of K. 219.

These are filmed live performances recorded at Akershus Castle Church, Oslo on the final day of the sessions for the CD 8573513. The DVD, unlike the corresponding CD, includes the Adagio in E, K261.

Of the CD The Guardian wrote: “Here’s a Naxos recording of standard classical repertoire that would make any full-price label proud. The performances are light and energetic. Kraggerud’s tone is eloquent and beautiful, marrying richness in the low notes with sweetness at the top, and he plays his own long, sparky cadenzas.”

Gramophone wrote of the CD: “The sound and balance are ideal, with the soloist integrated fully within the orchestral picture, just as he should be.”

Picture format: NTSC 16:9
Sound format: PCM Stereo,
DTS 5.0
Region code: 0 (worldwide)
Languages: NO, EN