*MO ZART: Symphonies in Eflat major and in A major K.1134. Stuttgart Ton-Studio Orchestra (Gustav Lund: Hans Michael). Nixa PLP538 (12 in-, 39s. 6d.).

Neither of these symphonies has been recorded before. Both of them were well worth doing. They belong to the set of six, with Kochel numbers ranging from 128 to :34, which were written between May and August of 1772 in 'Salzburg. The first movement of the E flat is rather conventional. Two second movements were written; the later alternative version is played here. It shows a very gracious use of imitation between the fiddles, when the main theme returns towards the close. The minuet pokes pleasant fun at academic canon ; and in the finale Mozart strikes out with one of the firm-limned and curiously definite melodies which seemed to have fascinated him at this time. But the invention in this movement tends to become facile.

K.:32 uses two oboes and four horns. K. 134 has only two horns, and flutes instead of oboes. It is plainly a sunnier and more playful work than the other one. Yet in it Mozart's " key of many colours" fails to assume any distinctive emotional hue. It bubbles along gaily, beneath an unshadowed sky, and the passing incident is worked out with exquisite finesse.

Dare I say that the recorded tone of the Ton-Studio sounds like studio tone ? By which I mean that it lacks fullness, resonance, and appears rather dry. The players are neat and able. Hans Michael elicits from them more vivacious playing than does Gustav Lund. A.P.