Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik; Serenata notturna; Posthorn Serenade; Haffner Serenade

Here, on two well-packed discs for the price of one, is the cream of Mozart's many serenades. Mozart was the only composer to successfully conquer this hybrid form. For him, an orchestral serenade meant a large work (often nearly an hour long) combining all of the parts of a symphony with several aspects of the concerto. There are marches, minuets, and sections featuring a solo violin or horn. Karl Bohm was a Mozart specialist--his interpretations have just the right combination of discipline and spontaneity. This is music from an era when the pace of life was much more leisurely than it is now. So sit back, relax, and enjoy. --David Hurwitz