Symphonies Nos 39 & 40

After a decade immersed in the great Mozart operas (to universal critical acclaim) René Jacobs returns to the late symphonies, leading the outstanding Freiburger Barockorchester. As with his previous recordings, his unique, operatic approach
to classical-period symphonies brings new life to these scores, particularly in terms of phrasing and clarity of texture. Jacobs says of his approach to this music, A lot of people think period instrument performance means everything fast. I stick very much to the drama and the delivery of speech. I know that, say, Mozart s own tempi were faster than what is now usual, but, on the other hand, there are also moments when time must stand still.