Salieri: Concertos

Cast as the villain in the film Amadeus, the real Salieri was actually on much friendlier terms with Mozart. Their rivalry, within the greater context of Italian musicians favored over local Austrians by the court, was only over commissions and teaching appointments. Italians in Vienna held more prestige, especially in opera. Nevertheless, Salieri conducted Mozart works and as times and styles changed, gave music lessons to Beethoven, Hummel, Schubert and Liszt among many others.

This album, featuring the Budapest Strings (with woodwinds and horns when specified by the composer,) offers a fine selection of Salieri's lighthearted, tuneful and well-crafted instrumental works.