Pinchas Zukerman, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra - Mozart: Violin Concertos Nos. 1, 2 & 3 (1991)

This CD is proof that sometimes you can get much more than what you pay for. Zukerman obviously knows these selections inside and out, leaving him time to give the music the special flare he does on this recording. The interpretations of each movement are solid and highly spirited, sounding almost as though they're talking to the listener. Part of this might be Zukerman's mastery of the range of expression of which a violin is capable; the instrument's tonal expression seems to change with the mood of the music as needed. The main reason, however, is the sense of obvious enjoyment and spontaneity being communicated to the listener by both soloist and orchestra (both of whom are equally capable), and that alone sets this CD above the myriads of other Mozart violin concerto recordings out there.