Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Divertimento in E flat major K.563 [46:53]
String Trio in G major K.anh.66 (K562e) [4:10]
Henning Kraggerud (violin); Lars Anders Tomter (viola); Christoph Richter
(cello):
rec. Lindermannsalen, Musikkhøgskole, Oslo, Norway, 19-23 December 2008
NAXOS 8.572258 [51:03] 
The more I hear it the more I am convinced that the Divertimento K563 is one
of Mozart’s very greatest works. >From the sotto voce octave arpeggio
of the opening to the delightful ending with the three instruments playing
a similar rhythmic pattern but independently it is full of invention, subtle
changes of texture and wonderful melodies. It is certainly an awkward piece
to fit into concerts, even given what a comparative rarity concerts are by
string trios. This is therefore an ideal work to hear at home on disc if like
me you lack the ability to play it yourself. Listening to this disc, well
recorded in an appropriate acoustic, does give the delightful feeling that
you have your own private trio to play it to you in your own room - something
that inevitably you do not get with recordings of The Ring.
This is above all a lively performance, not so much in tempi, which
are well chosen and by no means too fast, but in characterisation, dynamics
and phrasing. The players are alive to every minute change in the musical
argument. I had not encountered any of them before, and there is no indication
in the booklet that they play together regularly as a trio, but all are apparently
experienced chamber musicians. They manage the difficult feat of playing as
a single unit when needed but with subtle differentiation of tone colour when
that in turn is required. Although they are generous with repeats, including
those to both halves of the first movement, I was never bored with the music
or their playing of it. I have heard many other performances but this is certainly
one of the best I have encountered so far.
The Divertimento lasts just over 45 minutes. The coupling here is interesting
if not over-generous. The Trio K.anh.66 is an unfinished fragment, breaking
off in the middle of the development. The exposition is repeated here which
makes the sudden stop soon after all the more unexpected, leaving the listener
wondering what they would have done next if they had been Mozart. The booklet
notes by Ingrid F Anderson are interesting and to the point. It would be good
to think that this admirable and inexpensive disc would introduce the work
to Mozartians who have so far not encountered the work, as well as giving
great pleasure also to those who have.
John Sheppard
The more I hear it the more I am convinced that the Divertimento K563 is one
of Mozart’s very greatest works.