Embark on a musical journey through the vibrant and rejuvenating essence of spring with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "An Ode to Nature - Welcome Spring." This exquisite collection, set to release on April 17, 2025, under Warner Classics, is a celebration of the season's beauty, capturing its spirit through a diverse array of classical masterpieces. Spanning a rich tapestry of genres including classical, opera, classical piano, and chamber music, this album is a testament to Mozart's enduring genius and his ability to evoke the natural world's splendor.
The album opens with a lively and inviting selection from Schumann's "Waldszenen," setting the tone for a journey that includes Prokofiev's enchanting "Spring Fairy" from Cinderella, Mendelssohn's delicate "Spring Song," and Vivaldi's iconic "Spring" from The Four Seasons. Each piece is carefully curated to reflect the renewal and vitality of the season, offering a harmonious blend of familiar favorites and lesser-known gems.
Mozart's own contributions, notably the Andante from his Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, are a highlight, showcasing his unparalleled ability to convey both grace and depth. The album also features works by Debussy, Rachmaninov, and Chopin, among others, each adding their unique voice to this symphonic tribute to spring. With a duration of 1 hour and 51 minutes, "An Ode to Nature - Welcome Spring" is a comprehensive exploration of the season's musical landscape, perfect for both casual listeners and devoted classical enthusiasts.
Schumann: Waldszenen, Op. 82: No. 5, Freundliche LandschaftRobert Schumann, Maria João Pires
Prokofiev: Cinderella, Op. 87, Act 1: No. 12, Spring FairySergei Prokofiev, André Previn, London Symphony Orchestra
Mendelssohn: Songs Without Words, Book V, Op. 62: No. 6, Allegretto grazioso, MWV U161 "Spring Song"Felix Mendelssohn, Samson François
Rameau: Les fêtes d'Hébé, Act 3: Terpsichore, les nymphes, les faunes et les sylvainsJean-Philippe Rameau, Les Arts Florissants, William Christie
Thomas: Hamlet, Appendix: Ballet. "La fête du printemps". Scène du bouquetAmbroise Thomas, Antonio de Almeida, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Lully: Phaëton, LWV61, Act 4: AirJean-Baptiste Lully, Marc Minkowski, Les Musiciens du Louvre
Saint-Saëns: 2 Chœurs, Op. 68: No. 2, Les fleurs et les arbresCamille Saint-Saëns, Jean Sourisse, Ensemble Vocal Jean Sourisse
Vivaldi: The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in E Major, Op. 8 No. 1, RV 269 "Spring": III. AllegroAntonio Vivaldi, Europa Galante, Fabio Biondi
Rimsky-Korsakov: In Spring, Op. 43: No. 2, Not the Wind, blowing from the Heights (Version for Trumpet and Piano)Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Sergei Nakariakov, Vera Nakariakova
Massenet: Année passée, Livre IV "Matins de printemps": II. Lilas. Très modéré et caressantJules Massenet, Aldo Ciccolini
Debussy: Préludes, Livre II, CD 131, L. 123: No. 5, BruyèresClaude Debussy, Youri Egorov
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467: II. Andante, Pt. 1Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Stephen Hough, Bryden Thomson, Hallé
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467: II. Andante, Pt. 2Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Stephen Hough, Bryden Thomson, Hallé
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467: II. Andante, Pt. 3Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Stephen Hough, Bryden Thomson, Hallé
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467: II. Andante, Pt. 4Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Stephen Hough, Bryden Thomson, Hallé
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467: II. Andante, Pt. 5Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Stephen Hough, Bryden Thomson, Hallé
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467: II. Andante, Pt. 6Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Stephen Hough, Bryden Thomson, Hallé
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467: II. Andante, Pt. 7Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Stephen Hough, Bryden Thomson, Hallé
Ives: FrühlingsliedCharles Ives, Thomas Hampson, Armen Guzelimian
Bartók: For Children, Sz. 42, Book IV "Slovakian Folk Songs": No. 75, Deep in the Forest. Poco andanteBéla Bartók, Dezsö Ranki
Satie: 3 Autres mélodies: No. 3, Les fleursErik Satie, Aldo Ciccolini, Mady Mesplé
Marais: Pièces en trio, Suite No. 3 en ré majeur: III. Fantaisie champestreMarin Marais, Musica Pacifica
Janáček: 15 Moravian Folksongs for Piano: No. 11, Bězí voda, bězíLeoš Janáček, Thomas Adès
Telemann: Tafelmusik, Pt. 3: Ouverture-Suite in B-Flat Major, TWV 55:B1: II. Bergerie. Un peu vivementGeorg Philipp Telemann, Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, Ton Koopman, Ku Ebbinge, Michel Henry, Monica Huggett, Alison Bury
Purcell: Come Ye Sons of Art, Z. 323 "Ode for Queen Mary's Birthday": No. 9, Duet and Chorus. "See Nature Rejoicing"Henry Purcell, Gustav Leonhardt, Choir Of The Age Of Enlightenment, David Wilson-Johnson, Julia Gooding, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Shostakovich: The Song of the Forests, Op. 81: II. We Will Clothe Our Homeland with Forests (Live)Dmitri Shostakovich, Paavo Järvi, Estonian Concert Choir, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra
Rossini: Guillaume Tell, Act 1: "Près des torrents qui grondent" (Chœur)Gioachino Rossini, Lamberto Gardelli, Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Grieg: Lyric Pieces, Book 3, Op. 43: No. 6, To SpringEdvard Grieg, Leif Ove Andsnes
Tchaikovsky: 6 Romances, Op. 57: No. 2, On the Golden CornfieldsPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Rodion Pogossov, Malcolm Martineau
Pierné: Album pour mes petits amis, Op. 14: No. 1, PastoraleGabriel Pierné, Diane Andersen
Stravinsky: Pastorale (1933 Version for Violin and Wind Quartet)Igor Stravinsky, Gidon Kremer, David Theodore, Jane Marshall, Meyrick Alexander, Michael Collins
Monteverdi: Il terzo libro de madrigali: No. 11, O primavera, gioventù de l'annoClaudio Monteverdi, Consort Of Musicke, Anthony Rooley
Couperin: Troisième livre de pièces de clavecin, Treizième ordre: II. Les rozeauxFrançois Couperin, Olivier Baumont
Ravel: Manteau de fleurs, M. 39Maurice Ravel, Sabine Devieilhe, Alexandre Tharaud
Liszt: Années de pèlerinage, Première année "Suisse", S. 160: No. 7, ÉglogueFranz Liszt, Georges Cziffra
Gounod: Roméo et Juliette, Act 4: Ballet. Valse des fleurs - Entrée des jeunes fillesCharles Gounod, Michel Plasson, Orchestre National Du Capitole De Toulouse
Schubert: Naturgenuß, Op . 16 No. 2, D. 422Franz Schubert, Arnold Schoenberg Chor, Barbara Moser, Erwin Ortner
Stolz: Im Prater blüh'n wieder die Bäume, Op. 247 "Wiener Lied" (Version with Orchestra)Robert Stolz, Symphonie-Orchester Graunke, Anneliese Rothenberger
Lehár: Le pays du sourire, Act I: Air. "Dans l'ombre blanche des pommiers en fleurs"Franz Lehár, Yvon Leenart, Michel Dens, Orchestre de l'Association des Concerts Lamoureux
Le Jeune: Le printemps: No. 2, Revecy venir du printansClaude Le Jeune, Ensemble Gilles Binchois, Dominique Vellard
Mahler: Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen: No. 2, Ging heut' morgen über's FeldGustav Mahler, Huw Montague Rendall, Ben Glassberg, Opéra Orchestre Normandie Rouen
Haydn: The Seasons, Hob. XXI:3, Spring: No. 4, Arie. "Schon eilet froh der Akkermann" (Simon)Joseph Haydn, Sigiswald Kuijken, La Petite Bande, Peter Lika