Mozart: The 5 Violin Concertos by Arthur Grumiaux (2024 Remastered, London 1961-1964)

As a representative of the tradition of the Franco-Belgian school, illustrated by Henri Vieuxtemps, Eugène Ysaÿe, and César Thomson, Arthur Grumiaux was considered a music aristocrat. His relentless pursuit of perfection – somewhat unnerving to those around him – and the purity of his style made him one of the most eminent interpreters of Mozart in the second half of the 20th century, whether in sonatas with Clara Haskil or solo: in 1956, he recorded Mozart's concertos for the first time in Vienna, for the bicentenary of the composer's birth, with Rudolf Moralt. He would make a second recording under the direction of Colin Davis a few years later.

String instruments can easily sound harsh and strident in recordings or digital transfers, with the violin's register particularly accentuating this issue. This remastering provides a meticulous frequency balance, restoring the warm tones of Arthur Grumiaux's violin. This complete set becomes easier to listen to in one sitting without causing premature listening fatigue.