Mozart's Mannheim

The stylish Freiburg Baroque Orchestra focus on the winter of 1777-’78 when Mozart was resident in Mannheim, a city renowned for its magnificent orchestra. As well as some Mozartian rarities, such as the sprightly Symphony in C, K. 102, with its effervescent string writing, and a recitative and aria sung winningly by Nicole Chevalier, there are four world-premiere recordings of works that Mozart might have heard. The energetic Symphony No. 55 by Mozart’s friend Christian Cannabich is notable for its use of clarinets while the Violin Concerto by Mozart’s pupil Christian Danner is a delight, especially as played here by Gottfried von der Golz, while Carlo Giuseppe Toeschi and Georg Joseph Vogler are represented by sparkling miniatures.