Ferenc Fricsay, a young Hungarian conductor, was appointed principal conductor of the RIAS Symphony Orchestra and general music director of the Städtische Oper in December 1948.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Ferenc Fricsay believed that Mozart was an innovator and revolutionary for his time, creating a 'Rococo' art that was considered barbaric by some.
Recording & Production
Recording sessions for this album were often interrupted by American aircraft flying overhead with supplies during the Soviet blockade of Berlin.
Recording & Production
The recording of Divertimento in F major K 247 was shortened due to microphone malfunctions, resulting in a four-movement version instead of the complete work.
Interpretation
Ferenc Fricsay, the conductor, was known for his ruthless rehearsal methods, honing passages until they conformed to his ideal sound, sometimes against all practical reality.
Compositional Technique
Mozart's music, according to Ferenc Fricsay, features a unique and repeatable quality where instruments sing according to their secret inclinations, like violins playing violin melodies and clarinets playing specific clarinet lines.
Historical Context
The RIAS Symphony Orchestra was founded in Berlin during the disastrous winter of 1946/47, a time when the war-ravaged city was at rock bottom.
