Anne-Sophie Mutter, Daniel Müller-Schott, André Previn - Mozart: Piano Trios (2015)

In 2006, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's birth plus the 30th anniversary of Anne-Sophie Mutter's public debut, Deutsche Grammophon released new recordings of the German violinist in all the Austrian composer's major works featuring her instrument. To celebrate Mutter's undeniable beauty, each body of works was released with a different photograph of Mutter on the cover: the set of concertos had Mutter poured into a stunning bottle green mermaid gown, the set of sonatas had Mutter wrapped in a shimmering golden yellow strapless gown, and this set of the piano trios has Mutter's wonderfully made-up face and marvelously coifed hair in close-up. And just as no one but a blind man would deny Mutter's beauty, no one but a deaf man would deny Mutter's standing as one of the great violinists of her age with flawless intonation, faultless technique, a sensual tone, and a warmly romantic interpretive style. Of course, some might say that a warmly romantic interpretive style is out of place in the transcendently elegant works of Mozart. Others might point out that Mutter plays with impeccable taste and consummate control in these three late piano trios, but even they might concede that her performances are perhaps too sweet and possibly too ardent for the sublimely graceful Mozart. Cellist Daniel Müller-Schott and pianist André Previn are united behind Mutter and their performance is as one with Mutter in style and approach. For some, this disc will be a lovely addition to their Mutter collection. For others, the classic recording by the Beaux Arts Trio may seem closer to the classical style of the music. DG's sound is very flattering to Mutter, but puts Müller-Schott and Previn a bit too far in the background.