Janine Janson’s charm did not save this evening

Salzburg’s Camerata with a little bit of Mozart’s luck, but a brilliant soloist at the Vienna Concert House.

Nothing is more demanding than Mozart. This was recently demonstrated again at the Konzerthaus, where the Salzburg Camerata, led by concertmaster Gregory Ahss, spent an exclusive evening on Mozart. Together with Janine Jansen, Ahss also managed to present himself as a soloist in Concertone KV 190. It is Mozart’s first attempt at this intermediate form of symphony and concerto, which he later applied twice. The special claim of this three-movement opus are two completely equal soloists. Unless this time around: From the start, Janine Jansen proves to be technically superior to her partner Ahss, especially in terms of focus and temperament. It is a pity that the orchestra was not inspired by Jansson’s playing, but rather followed the comprehensive music-making of Ahas.

A flaw has already shaped the interpretation of D Major Concerto KV 218, delivered by Jansen with sparkling verve and eloquent phrasing, in the first part of this evening. Here, too, the camera liked the outdoorsy style, leaving much to be desired in terms of transparency and resolution. In contrast to the brilliance with which Jansen easily mastered her task. Will this asymmetrical image change in the fall? The Salzburg Camerata announced itself at the Concertohaus with two more of Mozart’s violin concertos with Janine Jansen: one in G major, KV 216, and a major concerto, KV 219.