Bob Draper wrote:

>Maybe we should have laws to prevent the passing off of a big band
>version of a Mozart symphony as the real thing.  What it actually
>is is 'Mozart (arranged whoever)'.  At least the HIP brigade are
>attempting to be honest.

I can't consider performances such as Davis or Bohm conducting a Mozart
symphony to be an "arrangement".  It's mainly a larger orchestra with
modern instruments - still an interpretation of a score.  And this applies
to big band performances of a Haydn symphony or of any other composer of
that time period.

Geoffrey Gaskell wrote:

>Fortunately I at least am able to listen with equal ease to Mozart
>performances conducted by Boehm, Walter, Gardiner, Hogwood, Toscanini,
>Beecham, Bernstein, Marriner, Harnoncourt, Mackerras etc
>etc.

Same here.  Whereas in baroque orchestral works, I definitely want period
insturment bands, I like both for classical-era works.  My favorite Mozart
symphonic movement, the first movement of the 39th symphony, works just
fine for me with the traditional and HIP approach.  I don't sense any kind
of arrangement from the traditional approach.  Again, it's just a matter of
what sounds right or good to the listener.

Don Satz
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