Klára Würtz, Prima la musica, Dirk Vermeulen - Mozart: Piano Concertos K. 467 & K. 271 (2010)

If you can tolerate Dirk Vermeulen’s rigidly vibrato-less strings versus winds and brass that play with far more color, expression, and, yes, a smidgen of vibrato, it is worth the effort for pianist Klára Würtz’s incandescent handling of the Mozart K. 271 and K. 467 concertos’ solo parts. She consistently shapes echoed phrases with contrast and character, and creates appropriate vocal-inspired tension in the slow-movement melodies’ wide interval leaps. Her effortless technique and sensitive ear lend more than usual interest to Mozart’s harder-than-they-sound Alberti basses and broken right-hand octaves, and the cadenzas are timed with the utmost flair and drama. In short, collectors who’ve enjoyed Würtz’s superb Mozart Sonata cycle for Brilliant Classics will want to hear this release, controversial orchestra and all.