Classical reviews: April 5

Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos 20 and 25. Martha Argerich (piano), Orchestra Mozart. Deutsche Grammophon CD.

Claudio Abbado was a great conductor of our time and founded the excellent hand-picked Orchestra Mozart, that ceased operation following his recent death. Abbado was one of a few musicians that Argerich would work with; the first recording he made for DG back in the 1960s was with her in Prokofiev and Ravel concertos. Here are their beautiful modern live performances well recorded from last year's Lucerne Festival.

No 25 in C major (K503) is one of Mozart's finest concertos but rarely played. After the piano's unobtrusive entry, Argerich plays with a freedom that is so well-matched by the orchestra, guided by its master. The partnership works immaculately too in the D minor 20th (K466).

Highlight: finale of great musical partnership.

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Clarinet Lollipops. Murray Khouri (clarinet), Prague Metropolitan Orchestra. Continuum CD.

The Wellington-born Khouri has had a long career as clarinettist, record producer and broadcaster. He has been a member of the NZSO, London and Royal Philharmonic Orchestras and BBC Orchestras. His 18 backed solo ''lollipops'' include four Gershwin items (Summertime and Love Walked In among them), four brief Debussy transcriptions (The Girl with the Flaxen Hair, etc) and Caprice Viennois with two other Fritz Kreisler violin transcriptions.

Kurt Weill features with Polly's Lied from his The Threepenny Opera. There are seven other items, from various composers. The title indicates that this tasting of light music is aimed at middle-of-the-road fans. Melodies are milked rather slowly with velvety timbre. I found the jazzy ones lacked the necessary sparkle.

Highlight: Gershwin's Walking the Dog (on leash.)

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