W.A. Mozart: Klavierkonzerte 20 & 24

The German pianist Martin Stadtfeld was young when he approached these two much-recorded concertos—the only minor-key ones in Mozart’s output—and he had definite ideas about them that stood out from the crowd. Having made his name with Bach, he plays this Mozart with an ultra-clean, fresh-out-of-the-box clarity, exposing every detail in a way that makes you sit up and take notice. And it works effectively alongside Bruno Weil, who brings a background steeped in period-instrument style to bear on a conventionally modern orchestra. Piano Concerto No. 24 in C Minor, K. 491 features Stadtfeld’s own, striking cadenza and severe staccato playing—almost like a fortepiano but with enough musicality not to sound mechanical. Piano Concerto No. 20 in D Minor, K. 466 comes with fast speeds but a crisply executed brilliance that’s exhilarating.