BaL 16.05.15 - Mozart: Horn Concertos

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

0930
Jonathan Freeman-Attwood compares available versions of Mozart's Horn Concertos and makes a personal recommendation.

Since the great Dennis Brain recorded the Mozart Concertos in the 1950s every self-respecting horn player has wanted to record them, too. With their humour and ear-worm tunes (Flanders and Swann famously tapped into both aspects with their song based on the rollicking finale of the fourth concerto), these ever-popular works are nonetheless full of technical and musical challenges. During an engaging survey Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, Principal of the Royal Academy of Music and himself a distinguished brass player, discovers an international Who's Who of hornists and a rich, sixty-year history of performance practice.

Available versions:

Alessio Allegrini, Orchestra Mozart, Claudio Abbado
Hermann Baumann, St Paul Chamber Orchestra, Pinchas Zukeman
Dennis Brain, Philharmonia Orchestra, Herbert von Karajan
Timothy Brown, Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Iona Brown (download)
Jeffrey Bryant, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Thomas Dausgaard
Alan Civil, Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Neville Marriner
Alan Civil, Philharmonia Orchestra, Otto Klemperer
Peter Damm, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
Pip Eastop, The Hanover Band, Anthony Halstead
Anthony Halstead, Academy of Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood
Anthony Halstead, Hanover Band, Roy Goodman
Johannes Hinterholzer, Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg, Ivor Bolton
Günter Högner, Wiener Philharmoniker, Karl Böhm
Lin Jiang, Western Australian Symphony Orchestra, Barry Tuckwell
David Jolley & William Purvis, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
R. J. Kelly, American Classical Orchestra, Thomas Crawford
Ab Koster, Tafelmusik, Bruno Weil
Albert Linder (horn), Vienna State Opera Orchestra, Hans Swarowski
Frank Lloyd, Northern Sinfonia, Richard Hickox (download)
Roger Montgomery, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Margaret Faultless
Jacek Muzyk, Amadeus Chamber Orchestra of the Polish Radio, Agnieszka Duczmal
David Pyatt, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
Eric Ruske, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Sir Charles Mackerras
Bruno Schneider, Venice and Padua Chamber Orchestra, Bruno Giuranna
Gerd Seifert, Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan
Milos Stevove, Capella Istropolitana, Jozef Kopelman
Ferenc Tarjani, Budapest Symphony Orchestra, Janos Sandor
Michael Thompson, Bournemouth Sinfonietta
Barry Tuckwell, English Chamber Orchestra
Barry Tuckwell, London Symphony Orchestra, Peter Maag
Barry Tuckwell, Philharmonia Orchestra
Sebastian Weigle, Dresdner Philharmonie,
Paul van Zelm, Combattimento Consort Amsterdam, Jan Willem de Vriend


Christian Lindberg (hornbone), Tapiola Sinfonietta, Jean-Jacques Kantorow

[Hornspieler]

So what about James Brown, whose recording with the Virtuosi of England (Arthur Davison) on the Classics for Pleasure label sold more copies than any other version?

Too "Classic FM" to be included?

HS

[MrGongGong]

What a waste of time
It is absolutely clear which is the best version by miles (sorry Roger, i'll buy you a pint )

Its a shame Arkady Shilkloper hasn't recorded a version

and what on earth is a "hornist"?

As David sang with Pat

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

So what about James Brown, whose recording with the Virtuosi of England (Arthur Davison) on the Classics for Pleasure label sold more copies than any other version?

Too "Classic FM" to be included?

HS

It's only available second hand - on vinyl!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

What a waste of time
It is absolutely clear which is the best version by miles

I would say every version is the best, apart from the blood-curdlingly wobbly Peter Damm performance. Unfortunately, it's the only stereo CD version in my library.

and what on earth is a "hornist"?

Someone who plays a horn.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

It is absolutely clear which is the best version by miles (sorry Roger, i'll buy you a pint )

I'm a little taken aback to realize that I have seven recordings (and I used to have the James Brown/VoE/Davison LP that Hs mentions - lovely introduction to the works).

I have to say that I agree with MrGG's choice (and I shall also chip in a pint for Mr Montgomery )

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I have to say that I agree with MrGG's choice (and I shall also chip in a pint for Mr Montgomery )

I thought he was referring to Tony Halstead.

[visualnickmos]

So what about James Brown, whose recording with the Virtuosi of England (Arthur Davison) on the Classics for Pleasure label sold more copies than any other version?

Too "Classic FM" to be included?

HS

I love that version - bought when I was just getting into classical music in the early 70s as a gangly young teen! I remember buying it even, at the same time I bought Mozart's syms 29 and 39 with Colin Davis (also CfP) and had to borrow a few bob from my Mum who happened to be with me at the time, to make up the price!!!! Bit of luck, that was..... but yes it is a lovely version, and very good sound, too. I play WAM's horn concertos when I want to 'feel good' - works every time. The sheer exuberance, then plaintiff, then stately, then almost serenade-like; these 4 concertos have everything..... I never tire of hearing them - and this CfP version in particular.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I thought he was referring to Tony Halstead.

I think (in a sense) he was; but his pint for "Roger" was (I believe) bought for Mr Montgomery?

[visualnickmos]

What a waste of time
It is absolutely clear which is the best version by miles (sorry Roger, i'll buy you a pint )

Its a shame Arkady Shilkloper hasn't recorded a version

and what on earth is a "hornist"?

As David sang with Pat

Forgive my dumbness, but it's not at all clear to me - must be my 'brain'.......?

[MrGongGong]

Someone who plays a horn.

IN America

Same Brown?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynfk7izWNE8&spfreload=10

Get up


(David and Pat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJRF...4&spfreload=10)

[Tony Halstead]

Hmm... who is 'miles'?
Shouldn't his given name be graced by a capital 'M'?

A 'hornist' is a USA horn player.

Seriously, though, in addition to the fine James Brown Classics for Pleasure LP ( did it ever appear on CD?) there are several other distinguished recordings, some of which are indeed on CD and others only on LP, presumably not included in EA's list ( and JF-A's?) for the simple reason that they are currently UNAVAILABLE ( a somewhat loaded word).
These include:
Timothy Brown (hand horn), OAE, Kuijken
Hermann Baumann (hand horn), VCM, Harnoncourt
Dale Clevenger (a central European chamber orchestra, can't remember exactly which)
Radovan Vlatkovic , ECO, Tate
Barry Tuckwell, ASMF, Marriner
Alan Civil, Philharmonia, Klemperer
Ernst Muelbacher, VSO


I do hope that Dr Freeman-Attwood will do the sensible thing - unlike most presenters - and compare the 'valve-horn / modern horn' recordings during a separate, dedicated portion of the allotted time, thereby staying pitch-wise in the general area of A=440, before proceeding to a comparison of the hand-horn/ valveless ones in the general pitch area of A=430. It can be nauseating when a reviewer plays extracts that lurch up and down in pitch from modern to H.I.P.P recordings, with the inevitable result that the 'old-instrument' low-pitch performances sound dull and lifeless compared to their modern counterparts.

[Tony Halstead]

Forgive my dumbness, but it's not at all clear to me - must be my 'brain'.......?

I think Mr GG was referring to Pip

[MrGongGong]

I think Mr GG was referring to Pip

Absolutely

Tremendous recording and the perfect balance of extraordinary technique and musicianship

(even though some of the others are worth listening to as well )

I also have
Mason Jones with Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra from 1969 (CBS)

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Absolutely

Thought so.

Tremendous recording and the perfect balance of extraordinary technique and musicianship.