Mozart: Symphonies 29, 31, 32, 35 & 36

Accolades galore were heaped on Sir Charles Mackerras and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra (SCO) last year for their recordings of Mozart's symphonies 38-41, so this latest collection comes with a heightened sense of expectation – and doesn't disappoint. Even though the earlier symphonies lack the maturity and startling grandeur of the Prague and the Jupiter , Mackerras manages to wring every last drop from them, and the SCO's glorious playing is enhanced by Linn's admirable recording technique, which enables us to experience the close-quarter intimacy Mozart's audiences would have enjoyed. Highly recommended.