Mozart’s precocious genius was as a keyboard player and composer, and his father proudly paraded these gifts of his all over Europe. But Wolfgang also played the violin – Leopold’s own instrument, for which he had written a tutor that was to become famous. Throughout the years he lived at home, he was constantly being urged to devote himself more whole-heartedly to it and was scolded for his lack of commitment. It is significant that after he left Salzburg for Vienna in 1781, he did not touch the violin again, and scarcely wrote further for it as a solo instrument.

In 1775, at the age of nineteen, he wrote five concertos within the space of nine months. Together with some of the shorter movements for violin and orchestra – two Rondos and an Adagio, they are issued here, coupled with the Sixth and Seventh Concertos (of partial, possibly doubtful authenticity).

The original 4-LP set is here released here, complete on Decca CD for the first time, and includes the original LP notes by Lionel Salter.

'Fujikawa brings unexpected sparkle to the finale of the Second Concerto. She is at her best in the marvelous Adagio of the G major which she sustains most beautifully at an unusually slow tempo […] There is plenty of polished, stylish orchestral playing […] the B flat Rondo is wholly entrancing’ - Gramophone (June 1982)