Instrumental Bel Canto – The Mozart K. 488 Project

By Neal Peres Da Costa with the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra

The 20th-century heralded unprecedented change in ‘classical’ music performance aesthetics as documented in sound recordings. By 1950, many unnotated expressive techniques (belonging to a long-established continuum of practice) had been all but expunged. In this ascendant modern style, the notation came to be considered sacrosanct, arguably for the first time ever. Compositions from Bach to Brahms donned identities and sound worlds that largely reflected their notation, largely devoid of individual artistic expression, and increasingly homogenous across performances and recordings. This text-literal ‘classicised’ style remains pervasive, even in historically informed performance (HIP), and has stultified performers and audiences alike. But innovative methods including: i) emulation/imitation of 19th-century-trained musicians on record; ii) cyclical processes in applying historical written evidence; and, iii) period instrument performance, can reignite artistic agency to help unlock the modernist sound of canonic works.

This recording provides a novel reading of Mozart’s Piano Concerto K. 488, recently recorded by Neal Peres Da Costa with the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra. Referencing, among other significant evidence, the ear-opening 1904 piano roll by Carl Reinecke (b. 1824)—lauded as preserver of an ‘old’ Mozart tradition—of his piano solo arrangement of the K. 488 slow movement, we re-enact documented Mozartian practices of note dis-alignment, marked rhythm and tempo variation, and ornamentation. In so doing, we reimagine Mozart as unbridled, blustery, varied, and rhetorical, an alternative to the expected identities for his music of pretty, neat, tidy, and balanced. Such vivification of past musical practices can inspire renewed artistry and expressivity in the staging of classical music.

For more information about the research process, please see: https://www.arco.org.au/the-k488-project

Heavenly Mozart

The Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra reinvigorates two of Mozart’s best-known works in new recording Heavenly Mozart, releasing 10 November 2023 with conductor Rachael Beesley and fortepiano soloist Neal Peres Da Costa.

They are two of Mozart’s best-known works – the sublime ‘Jupiter’ Symphony No.41 and Piano Concerto No.23. But in Heavenly Mozart, the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra re-illuminates this beloved music with a dynamic, historically informed performance that’s closer than ever to how Mozart himself heard it.

Conducted by Rachael Beesley and featuring eminent soloist Neal Peres Da Costa playing a newly commissioned fortepiano, the orchestra’s second CD and first studio recording offers a fresh and distinctive interpretation of the composer’s massive final symphony and popular piano concerto. Based on their new scholarly research into 19th-century piano performance, early recordings and theatrical movement, the recording – available in both physical and digital formats – adds exciting discoveries to the international field of Mozart performance practice.

“As an orchestra, we find creative inspiration in exploring new research materials and methods, from acting expressions, gestures, and declamation to gaining greater insight and inspiration into the performance practices of the time through early historical recordings.” says co-artistic director and conductor Rachael Beesley.

HIP Style & Rave Reviews
The Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, is Australia’s leading ensemble playing 18th- and 19th-century music in historically informed performance (HIP) style. Heavenly Mozart reflects this with Classical-era techniques and instruments, including a new Viennese-action fortepiano by Paul McNulty (Czech Republic), modelled after a c.1805 instrument by Anton Walter & Sohn, and acquired by the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Informed by historical practices, the performance is flowing and expressive, transcending the notes on the page like a sweeping, starry night sky.

The recording, made at All Saints Church, Hunters Hill in Sydney, NSW, followed highly successful performances of both works during the orchestra’s six-concert national ‘Tempestuous Skies’ tour in August 2022.

From the Tour Reviews
“…wonderful playing, so thoughtful and so free…” – Andrew Ford, composer and broadcaster
“Neal Peres Da Costa played this new fortepiano lovingly and sensitively, complementing the orchestra’s rich, mellow sound like Viennese chocolate.” – ClassikON
“From the peremptory opening…until the last notes, this was a masterful rendition.” – Limelight

New Research & Expression
But while Heavenly Mozart offers delight for Mozart lovers, it also adds exciting discoveries to the international field of Mozart performance practice. The recording of the Piano Concerto No.23 is part of the Mozart K.488 Project, a multi-year research endeavour co-designed by ARCO and Da Costa, Associate Dean of Research and Professor of Period Performance at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Rooted in the performance practice of both the 19th century and Mozart’s own time (including piano roll recordings by 19th-century German pianist and Mozart exponent Carl Reinecke), the CD offers flexible, expressive playing that goes beyond traditional score-bound Mozart performances.

“This CD is a wonderful addition to any collection, whether academic or popular,” sums up Nicole van Bruggen, ARCO’s co-artistic director. 

Released November 10, 2023

Recording Team

Artistic
Founding Artistic Director – Richard Gill†
Artistic Directors – Rachael Beesley and Nicole van Bruggen
Artistic Advisor – Prof. Neal Peres Da Costa

Operations
General Manager – Nicole van Bruggen
Orchestra Production Manager Sarah Conolan
Branding Josh Murray Design

ARCOCD-002
Recorded at All Saints Uniting Church, Hunters Hill, Sydney, Australia
25–27 August 2022
Producer and engineer – Thomas Grubb, Mano Musica
Assistant engineer – Patrick Mullins, Audiofile
Fortepiano tuning and maintenance – Nathan Cox and Terry Harper
Photography – Robert Catto and Wallis Media
Booklet editing and design – Yvonne Frindle

All tracks © 2023 Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra.
All rights of the owner of copyright reserved. Any copying, renting, lending, diffusion, public performance or broadcast of this record without the authority of the copyright owner is prohibited.