Mozart: Concertos for Horn and Orchestra

1. Horn Concerto No. 1 in D major, K. 412/514 (K. 386b)
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performed by Labacensis Camerata with Joschi Fallout
Conducted by Kurt Redel

2. Horn Concerto No. 2 in E flat major, K. 417
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performed by Mozart Festival Orchestra with Josef Dokupil
Conducted by Alberto Lizzio

3. Horn Concerto No. 3 in E flat major, K. 447
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performed by Labacensis Camerata with Joschi Fallout
Conducted by Kurt Redel

4. Oboe Concerto in C major, K. 314 (K. 285d)
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performed by Labacensis Camerata with Ivo Rogeljic
Conducted by Kurt Redel

Mozart: Concertos for Horn and Orchestra,Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,Alberto Lizzio,Kurt Redel,Joschi Fallout,Josef Dokupil,Ivo Rogeljic,Camerata Labacensis,Mozart Festival Orchestra,Ent. Media Partners,Classical,Classical Vocals,Concerto,French Horn Concerto

Average customer rating: Mozart:: Horn Concertos 1 - 4 This needs to be the "other" recording Its worth it

Mozart: Horn Concertos Nos. 1-4 Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music French Horn | Brass | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music $6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Bach: Brandenburg Concertos No. 1-4; Neville Marriner; Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Baroque Trumpet Concertos Bach: Brandenburg Concertos No. 5 & 6/Orchestral Suite No. 1; Neville Marriner; Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Bach: Violin Concertos Mozart: Violin Concertos Nos. 1-3; Rondo, K. 373 ASIN: B00005RD9N Release Date: 2003-03-25

Tracks:

1. Hn Con No.1 in D, K.412: I. Rondo: Allegro
2. Hn Con No.1 in D, K.412: II. Allegro
3. Hn Con No.2 in E flat, K.417: I. Allegro Maestoso
4. Hn Con No.2 in E flat, K.417: II. Andante
5. Hn Con No.2 in E flat, K.417: III. Rondo
6. Hn Con No.3 in E flat, K.447: I. Allegro
7. Hn Con No.3 in E flat, K.447: II. Romanza: Larghetto
8. Hn Con No.3 in E flat, K.447: III. Allegro
9. Hn Con No.4 in E flat, K.495: I. Allegro Moderato
10. Hn Con No.4 in E flat, K.495: II. Romanza: Andante
11. Hn Con No.4 in E flat, K.495: III. Rondo: Allegro Vivace
12. Fragment in E flat, 494a
13. Rondo in E flat, K.371

Customer Reviews:

Mozart:: Horn Concertos 1 - 4.......2006-07-28

Exactly what we needed to prepare intermediate horn solo for competition.

This needs to be the "other" recording.......2005-05-31

As a music teacher and hornist who has performed all of the Mozart horn concertos at one time or another, I am probably more picky about recordings of these works than anything else. Everyone always upholds the Dennis Brain recordings as the best, and rightly so. Brain was the all-time master of the horn, period. The problem is that he died young and his Mozart recordings were made in the 1950s. Yes, the CD has been remastered and sounds quite good, but there's only so much a producer can do.

That's why one recording of these masterpieces simply will not do.

This CD by Barry Tuckwell most assuredly needs to be the "other" recording one has in their collection. Tuckwell with his gorgeous tone, fantastic range, and excellent lip trills is easily the best hornist in the past few decades. He plays each concerto with spirit and aggression in contrast to Brain's more controlled and leisurely interpretation. His cadenzas are more modern and showy yet maintain classical style and taste. The ASMF provides perfect, well-balanced accompaniment with, interestingly enough, a harpsicord playing basso continuo underneath the orchestra (a feature that may or may not have been used when Mozart first debuted these concertos).

Finally, the original recordings are modern enough that when digitally remastered, they sound clear as a bell.

So yes, buy the Brain recording, he is the best hornist of all time. But this recording by Tuckwell is marvellous and should be immediately added to one's collection. Both recordings are correct, both are beautiful, but both are different.

Therefore, both are needed.

Its worth it.......2003-05-27

I am impressed with the elegance of Barry Tuckwell's playing, combined with the conducting of world known conductor, Sir Marriner. As a beginner trumpeter, who also loves the french horn, I would recommend this cd for those who loves the french horn as much as I do.

Average customer rating: What Hath God Wrought? World class music I Wish Dennis Brain Had Been Born So That His Performing Powers Peaked in 1995 A Master Performs a Master Mozart: Horn Concert

Mozart: Horn Concertos Nos. 1-4 Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music French Horn | Brass | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Brain, Dennis | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Horn Concertos Brain Mozart: Violin Concertos Mozart - Clarinet Concerto & Oboe Concerto / Pay, Piguet, AAM, Hogwood Great Recordings Of The Century - Brahms: Violin Sonatas nos 1 - 3 / Perlman, Ashkenazy ASIN: B00000GCAD Release Date: 1999-01-12

Tracks:

1. Horn Concerto No.1 In D, K.412: Allegro
2. Horn Concerto No.1 In D, K.412: Rondo (Allegro)
3. Horn Concerto No.2 In E Flat, K.417: Allegro maestoso
4. Horn Concerto No.2 In E Flat, K.417: Andante
5. Horn Concerto No.2 In E Flat, K.417: Rondo
6. Horn Concerto No.3 In E Flat, K.447: Allegro
7. Horn Concerto No.3 In E Flat, K.447: Romance (Larghetto)
8. Horn Concerto No.3 In E Flat, K.447: Allegro
9. Horn Concerto No.4 In E Flat, K.495: Allegro moderato
10. Horn Concerto No.4 In E Flat, K.495: Romance (Andante)
11. Horn Concerto No.4 In E Flat, K.495: Rondo (Allegro vivace)
12. Quintet In E Flat For Piano And Wind K.452: Largo-Allegro moderato
13. Quintet In E Flat For Piano And Wind K.452: Larghetto
14. Quintet In E Flat For Piano And Wind K.452: Rondo (Allegro)

Customer Reviews:

What Hath God Wrought?.......2007-04-02

Well ...

If you're reading this, it's likely that you have already have already heard about Dennis Brain and in particular the famous passages where his rapid playing left a generation of listeners shaking their heads in astonishment.

This is how everyone first hears of him: a sort of circus act with lots of notes but without the great tone that distinguishes really good horn playing. This first impression is strengthened by stories about the strange, narrow-bore horn he played and by the sound of occasionally clipped staccato notes and a tight low range. As someone once said, "My faults, according to this calculation, are heavy indeed!"

But in Brain's case as well as in Fitzwilliam Darcy's, closer acquaintance reverses the impression altogether.

At odds with the idea of frenetic speed, Brain produces some of the most sensitive phrase shaping you'll find in any musical recordings. His effortless mastery gives many passages a relaxed feeling that suggests he is playing them a third lower than written. His recordings of hornists' two signature pieces -- Strauss's first horn concerto and Mozart's third -- are both gentler than any other recording in the catalogue. He plays the Mozart third at a surprisingly slow tempo and turns the first page of the Strauss, which most players muscle up on, into a lullaby.

In the middle and upper ranges, Brain's tone, while unobtrusive, is so full and pure that many people say they have a tendency to block out everything else and just listen to that sound. That may not seem an asset for ensemble playing, but his accompaniment playing was wonderful and his reliability a huge asset for his colleagues. The expectation of perfection became so other-worldly that, on the inevitable day when Brain finally flubbed a passage in rehearsal, the always mischievous Sir Thomas Beecham stopped the orchestra, put his baton down, and just said, "Thank God."

Brain's trills, lip trills in particular, are uniquely clear, and at the end of the day, yes, there is that fabulously rapid articulation that leaves listeners wondering whether they were dreaming what they just heard.

This playing all emanated from a personality that was apparently of the utmost simplicity and modesty. Alan Civil had the last word on this forty years ago in his remembrance of Brain on the jacket of "The Art of Dennis Brain" album (Seraphim 60040, if you can find it). Brain's early, accidental death strikes one the same way as Beethoven's deafness does: a hint that higher forces are at play.

No, this is not a review of Brain's Mozart. It is an invitation to begin an acquaintance. Dig in!

World class music.......2007-01-10

By far the best rendition of the Mozart Horn Concertos ever produced. David Brain must be the "El Supremo" of horn playing. An added bonus on this CD is the Quintet in E flat for piano and wind and with Colin Horsley as the pianist is an added treat for New Zealanders. A "MUST HAVE" for all lovers of Mozart.

I Wish Dennis Brain Had Been Born So That His Performing Powers Peaked in 1995.......2006-05-17

I purchased The LP in 1953 and proceeded to 'wear it out.' No, I have not yet thrown it out.

However, I have had the good fortune to find myself a resident of the San Francisco Peninsula since 1970 and, in time, have had the privilege to make the acquaintance of the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, who perform one of each of their annual subscription concert series locally here in Palo Alto.

In 1992 they recorded the Horn Concertos with Lowell Greer performing them on the natural (valveless) horn, the instrument which was in use at the time Mozart composed them. Given the temperamental nature of the the instrument, the recording is doubtless a composite of many 'takes.' It is also a breathtaking performance and is now my 'standard.' See:

[...]

Take a moment to listen to some of the available tracks.

Form your own opinion.

A Master Performs a Master.......2005-08-20

I'm not much of a classical music reviewer. I've been exposed to a lot of music, but I tend to stick to favorite performances, so I don't have the depth needed to really be authoritative. Except perhaps for oboe, and that's because I grew up listening to John De Lancie and Marcel Tabuteau - and once you hear really good, you know what's what. This album is a similar case. Dennis Brain wasn't a 'good' French horn player, he was probably the best that there ever was or will be.

I've heard a lot of performance horn players. All you have to do to see what I mean is to wander through this website and pick off performances of the first movement of Horn Concerto No. 2 in E flat and you will discover that Brain never blurbles a note, and every attack in the Allegro Maestoso is pinpoint. He is technically and tonally perfect and couples that with a superb musical sensibility. It was one of the great musical tragedies that he died at the age of 36.

Something to keep in mind is that when Mozart wrote these works for his good friend (and cheesemonger) Joseph Leutgeb, the French horn was a very limited instrument. Many of the notes were reached by stopping the bell to some degree, which affected volume and intonation. Mozart wrote to take advantage of Leutgeb's expertise at this, and Dennis Brain chooses to maintain this effect rather than just play his modern instrument with no thought to the past.

These compositions cover a fair range of time. Number 2(K.417) is really the earliest (1783). And the incomplete No. 1 (K.412) is really the last (1791). The best though, in both my mind and Mozart's is the Quintet in E flat for piano & wind. Mozart was a master in using instrument groupings in novel and powerful fashion and this is no exception.

EMI has remastered this CD over their previous release, which enhances clarity, and makes it easier to hear Dennis Brain's considerable finesse. I own their first release and the difference in clarity makes it worth finding this edition. But even the duller production of the 1997 is enjoyable. It you want a good selection of Dennis Brain's work on one CD this is an excellent buy.

Mozart: Horn Concert.......2005-08-14

Great recordings of the century, and that is what it is.
Herbart von Karajan conducting, and Dennis Brain on horn tells it all; a wonderful rich music experience are waiting for you.
In my ears its probably one of the best recordings ever made of the horn concert. And even though its from the mid 50`s it comes in a wonderful remastered CD.
The CD comes with a very good booklet in English; telling the story behind the record.
I highly recommend this album

Average customer rating: The finest horn album ever

Horn Concertos Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Cherubini, Luigi | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Franz Joseph Haydn | Haydn, Franz Joseph | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Michael Haydn | Haydn, Michael | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Leopold Mozart | Mozart, Leopold | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Telemann, Georg Philipp | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Weber | Weber, Carl Maria von | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Telemann, Georg Philipp | Composers | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music French Horn | Brass | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Virtuoso Horn Screamers: Difficult Works For The Horn Mozart: Horn Concertos Nos. 1-4 Mozart: Horn Concertos Nos. 1-4 The Magic of the French Horn ASIN: B0007RO59I Release Date: 2005-05-24

Tracks:

1. I. Vivace
2. II. Largo
3. III. Allegro
4. I. Largo
5. II. Allegro Moderato
6. I. Con Discrezione
7. II. Adagio
8. III. Allegro
9. Horn Concertino In E Minor, Op.45
10. I. Allegro Moderato
11. II. Andante
12. III. Allegro
13. I. Larghetto
14. II. Allegro Non Troppo
15. III. Menuet & Trio

Tracks:

1. I. Allegro Moderato
2. II. Adagio
3. III. Rondo (Allegretto)
4. I. Allegro Moderato
5. II. Adagio Cantabile
6. III. Rondo (Moderato)
7. I. Allegro Maestoso
8. II. Lento Cantabile
9. III. Rondo (Allegretto)
10. I. Allegro
11. II. Adagio
12. III. Menuetto
13. I. Allegro
14. II. Adagio
15. III. Allegro

Customer Reviews:

The finest horn album ever.......2005-08-11

No, this album doesn't include any of the superb horn concerti by Wolfgang Mozart. But it does have some incredible works, played wonderfully by Barry Tuckwell.

Over an hour is devoted to the works of Johann Stich (concerti 5, 6, 10, and 11). There are concerti by Franz Joseph Haydn and by Michael Haydn. And by Leopold Mozart. There's a concerto by Telemann. A beautiful sonata for horn and strings by Cherubini. A concerto by Forster. And the piece I consider the masterpiece of the bunch, the Horn Concertino by Carl Weber. Tuckwell is at his best with this work, including the very difficult chords (!) that have to produced by humming one note while playing another.

I highly recommend these two disks.

Average customer rating: Awesome French horn soloist Beautiful Passages From Hermann Baumann Clevenger-ok, Baumann-awesome Once again, I'm impressed! Good music, not-so-good quality

Virtuoso Horn Manufacturer: Teldec ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Franz Joseph Haydn | Haydn, Franz Joseph | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Michael Haydn | Haydn, Michael | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music French Horn | Brass | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Mozart: Horn Concertos Nos. 1-4 The Magic of the French Horn American Horn Quartet Horn Concertos The London Horn Sound ASIN: B000000SMY Release Date: 1994-07-05

Tracks:

1. Concerto For Horn And Orchestra No. 3 (1) In D Major, H VIId/3: Allegro
2. Concerto For Horn And Orchestra No. 3 (1) In D Major, H VIId/3: Adagio
3. Concerto For Horn And Orchestra No. 3 (1) In D Major, H VIId/3: Allegro
4. Concerto For Horn And Orchestra In E Major: Allegro
5. Concerto For Horn And Orchestra In E Major: Romance
6. Concerto For Horn And Orchestra In E Major: Rondeau: Allegro
7. Concerto For Horn And Orchestra In D Minor: Allegro Molto
8. Concerto For Horn And Orchestra In D Minor: Romanze
9. Concerto For Horn And Orchestra In D Minor: Rondo
10. Concerto For Horn And Orchestra No. 2 In E Flat Major, K. 417: Allegro Maestoso
11. Concerto For Horn And Orchestra No. 2 In E Flat Major, K. 417: Andante
12. Concerto For Horn And Orchestra No. 2 In E Flat Major, K. 417: Rondo
13. Concertino For Horn And Orchestra In D Major: Allegro Non Troppo

Customer Reviews:

Awesome French horn soloist.......2006-07-08

Anyone who knows anything about French horn soloists knows of the greats...Dennis Brain, Berry Tuckwell, Hans Pizka, and of course, Hermann Baumann. If you are a fan of the French horn, this is a must.

Beautiful Passages From Hermann Baumann.......2004-09-20

This is a beautiful CD largely featuring Hermann Baumann performing pieces by Hayden, Danzi, Rosetti, and Mozart. I admire the musicianship here, mostly from Baumann, but also noteworthy is the performance by Dale Clevenger on Haydn's Concertino for Horn and Orchestra in D major, the final track on the CD, and the only one digitally recorded. Although I think Baumann is probably the technically more proficient musician, Clevenger certainly acquits himself well, and the total lack of background noise on that track makes it an absolute pleasure to listen to. Another listener complained of excessive background noise and static, but fortunately I did not seem to have that problem on either of the systems I played it on.

I am particularly fond of the Mozart pieces presented here, although I prefer the recordings by Dennis Brain for technique. These are my favorite recordings of the Hayden and Rosetti pieces to date. This CD is an excellent value, and any serious listener will be sure to thrill to it.

Clevenger-ok, Baumann-awesome.......2003-02-25

Hermann Baumann is one of the greatest horn players ever and he shows why he has been given that honor on this cd. I don't think that there is recording of the Haydn concerto that even comes close to this masterful performance, even better than Tuckwell's. The cadenzas are absolutely awesome. I haven't listened to the Rosetti before but Baumann sounds excellent in this concerto as well. Clevenger plays ok on the Haydn but his articulation is a little sloppy. I'm a saxophone player but I can recognize true musicianship when I hear it and Baumann certainly is a brilliant musician. Highly recommended.

Once again, I'm impressed!.......2002-07-30

Hermann Baumann never ceases to amaze me, and this album is no exception. Flawless execution coupled with the highest sense of musicality make for quite an impressive display, especially with horn literature of this difficulty. Baumann rises like a colossus with this album- and if it hasn't already been said, the cadenzas are worth the price of the cd by themselves! For as long as I have been listening to horn music, I have never heard the beauty, clarity, and sweetness of tone in the clarino register as I heard with this album. The Haydn Concertino in D with Dale Clevenger was nicely executed, however my preference for this piece is in the Tuckwell recording for tempo and stylistic reasons. Cliche though it may be, this is a must have.

Good music, not-so-good quality.......2001-11-05

The music of this CD is stunningly well-done, with Hermann Baumann once again making recordings unchallenged in musical quality, making the most complicated horn parts seem effortless, the cadenzas in particular. However, the actual quality of the CD is somewhat "staticky". There's noticeable background static if played on the right (wrong?) speakers that other CDs don't produce. This CD would be perfect if the recording quality was better.

Average customer rating: Great collection, value A great way to get Mozart's concertos A great set of Mozart concertos Excellent - Worth Every Penny! Highly enjoyable

Complete Wind Concertos Mozart , and Orpheus Chamber Orchestra Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Mozart: Serenade in B flat "Gran Partita"; Serenade in E flat Mozart: Sinfonia Concertante Mozart: Complete String Trios & Duos Mozart: The Violin Sonatas Brahms: Complete String Quartets, Quintets & Sextets ASIN: B000065TV1 Release Date: 2002-06-11

Customer Reviews:

Great collection, value.......2007-05-31

This is a really neat collection of the Mozart wind concertos. I really like the Sinfonia Concertante and Bassoon Concertos. The bassoonist here does a fantastic job with that concerto; he is matched only be Thuneman and the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields. The cadenza for said concerto is also interesting, and provided some inspiration for my own cadenza when I performed the work.

Overall this CD is a MUST HAVE, most particularly for the performances, but also because it is pretty cheap for such great music.

A great way to get Mozart's concertos.......2005-11-11

This set of three discs is a great, economical way to fill out your collection of Mozart concertos. Contained are good to excellent versions of all 4 horn concertos, the three works featuring flute, the fine clarinet concerto and the early bassoon and oboe concertos. The digitally recorded sound is very clear if occasionally dry and the balance between soloists and orchestra is quite natural. Many times, particularly with the flute works, on other recordings the soloist ends up being unnaturally favored but not so here.

The Sinfonia Concertante which opens the collection is a delightful work even if it is not actually a Mozart composition -- which it almost certainly is not. The Clarinet soloist in the clarinet concerto plays beutifully and I think rivals Leister's great work with Karajan. The four horn concertos are fine even if the soloists are not quite at the level of the famous Brain recordings. The Bassoon and Oboe soloists are truly excellent and these are the best versions of these pieces I have yet heard.

This collection can be recommended highly.

A great set of Mozart concertos.......2005-09-01

This set is an excellent value. 212 minutes of Mozart's music at a very modest price. And what music! The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra does a superb job.

The first disc begins with the Sinfonia Concertante for Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon and Orchestra. Next is one of Mozart's last works, the beautiful Clarinet Concerto. Charles Neidich is the soloist, on basset clarinet, and his technique is simply the best. I also like his cadenzas very much. By the way, the use of the basset clarinet makes this concerto so much better! It was indeed written for the basset clarinet, which goes four half-notes lower than a normal A clarinet, and five half-notes lower than a normal B-flat clarinet. And the disc finishes with an Andante for Flute and Orchestra, with Susan Palma on the flute.

The second disc has the famous four horn concertos. William Purvis is the soloist for concertos 2 and 3 (playing his own cadenzas, of course). David Jolley solos for concertos 1 and 4. Purvis does a fine job, and I like Jolley even more. The disc also has a very nice recording of an early Mozart work, the bassoon concerto (written when Mozart was 18). Frank Morelli is the solist here, and offers us nice cadenzas too.

The final disc begins with the Oboe concerto, where we get Randall Wolfgang as the soloist (playing his own cadenza). Then we hear the Flute concerto, followed by the Flute and Harp concerto. Susan Palma is the flute soloist on both of these, and she plays her own impressive array of cadenzas. Nancy Allen does a great job on the harp on the latter piece.

I highly recommend this set of discs.

Excellent - Worth Every Penny!.......2004-08-19

I have heard all these pieces and even played some myself over the years and thought that this was an excellent collection of Mozart's wind concerti. You really get to see the development of this prodigy from his teens (bassoon concerto) to his late 30s, the clarinet concerto was one of his last crowning pieces.

The oboe and bassoon concerti were both delightful and the "clicking" of the keys mentioned by another reviewer are the limitations of the instruments. I'm an oboist and all oboes and bassoons make this noise. I don't find it distracting at all. If you hear it, think of it as an percussive accompaniment. :-) I thought the bassoon concerto to be one of the best interpretations yet and the oboe concerto was confident and bright.

The Sinfonia Concertante (one of my original reasons for purchasing the set) was delightfully balanced and playful - a definite pleasure.

The flute concerto and andante were both fun to listen to as well as the concerto for flute and harp. The horn concerti are always joyful and are a nice balance to all the woodwind (technically-speaking) music.

The clarinet concerto was indeed lovely and played on a basset clarinet so there were some richer tones than when it's played on a typical 'A' clarinet. Superb.

I thought all the concerti had wonderful cadenzas and the orchestra was excellently balanced against the soloists. This is a CD collection that you will never regret and will feed your soul.

Highly enjoyable.......2004-06-02

Mozart wind concertos may not rank among his finest and deepest works, but they indeed show that a master is at work. It is difficult to judge a whole set, and you may probably find some better versions of this music, but I think that this recording deserves some praise. The performings from both the soloists and the orchestra are solid, stylish and virtuosistic. To name an example I consider the clarinet concerto to be one of the best achievements here. The slow movement is just a miracle of beauty, and at one point the soloist leads the orchestra to an incredible pianissimo nuance, so soft and delicate that you may be afraid of breathing. Mozart's music is just so beautiful that instead of writing about it we should just listen and enjoy. Moreover the price is very attractive, so no excuses!

Average customer rating: It doesn't get any better! A sweet-sounding remastering of these classics

Mozart: Horn Concertos 1-4; Quintet K 452 Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music French Horn | Brass | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Brain, Dennis | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Horn Concertos Brain Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli Vol. 2 [Germany] Strauss: Don Quixote; Schumann: Cello Concerto / Rostropovich, Karajan, et al Great Recordings Of The Century - Beethoven: Triple Concerto; Brahms: Double Concerto / Oistrakh, Rostropovich, Richter ASIN: B000BPN24U Release Date: 2006-01-10

Tracks:

1. Allegro
2. Rondo (Allegro) (K514, Arr. Submayr)
3. Allegro Maestoso
4. Andante
5. Rondo
6. Allegro
7. Romance (Largehtto)
8. Allegro
9. Allegro Moderato
10. Romance (Andante)
11. Rondo (Allegro Vivace)
12. Largo-Allegro Moderato - Dennis Brain Wind Ensemble
13. Larghetto - Dennis Brain Wind Ensemble
14. Rondo (Allegro) - Dennis Brain Wind Ensemble

Customer Reviews:

It doesn't get any better!.......2007-06-02

This recording is over 50 years, but Dennis Brain's performance is still the benchmark for Mozart's horn concertos. Brain was the complete master of a very difficult instrument. Pure magic!

A sweet-sounding remastering of these classics.......2006-09-02

Dennis Brain's universaly acclaimed Mozart horn concertos haven't been out of hte catalog for fifty years, but for the longest while the 1953 sonics were boxy and cramped. So it's good news that in this remastering Paul Baily has amde the orchestra and soloist sound sweet, even if the boxiness still remains. Brain's playing is uniquely supple and lyrical; future horn players like Barry Tuckwell brought more fire into their playing.

The Quintet for Piano and Winds K. 452 is also a fine performance. It dates from 1954. the only caveat is ot to mistake this reading, with Colin Horsley as the (very good) pianist, for another EMI recording, also with Dennis Brain on horn but with Walter gieseking as pianist. He was, of course, much more famous than Horsley, but the present recording is livelier in the first movement, where gieseking preferred the more usual slower tempo.

Average customer rating: If Edith Piaf had been a horn player... Fabulous French Horns Excellent Selections, Bad playing The French Horn:Opinion An excellent production

The Magic of the French Horn Manufacturer: Erato ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Dukas | Dukas, Paul | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Robert Schumann | Schumann, Robert | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Telemann, Georg Philipp | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Telemann, Georg Philipp | Composers | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music French Horn | Brass | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Virtuoso Horn Music for French Horn Mozart: Horn Concertos Nos. 1-4 Take 9 Horn Concertos ASIN: B000005EC4 Release Date: 1994-08-02

Tracks:

1. La Choisy - (For Horns And Orchestra)
2. Andante Sostenuto - (For Horn And Harp)
3. Concerto For Horn And Orchestra: Allegro
4. Concerto For Horn And Orchestra: Andante
5. Concerto For Horn And Orchestra: Allegro
6. Rondo KV371- (For Horn And Orchestra) In E-Flat Major
7. Concerto No. 4, KV 495 For Horn And Orchestra In E-Flat Major: Romanza - (andante)
8. Concerto No. 4, KV 495 For Horn And Orchestra In E-Flat Major: Rondo - (Allegro vivace)
9. Sonata - (For Horn And Harp) - Andante
10. Villanelle - (For Piano And Orchestra)
11. Conzertstuck Op. 86 - For 4 Horns And Orchestra: Lebhaft
12. Conzertstuck Op. 86 - For 4 Horns And Orchestra: Romanze, Sehr lebhaft

Customer Reviews:

If Edith Piaf had been a horn player..........2006-06-02

Just a note on the criticism of vibrato: These recordings must be heard with their cultural context in mind; they are excellent examples of the French style of playing which is famous for its lyricism, light sound and rapid, pronounced vibrato (Georges Barboteau is one of the greatest modern exponents of this style). It may well be that the use of vibrato was more widespread in Europe in the 19th century than it is today, thus giving an air of authenticity to these recordings. Despite their often widely differing tonal and lyrical characteristics, you'll still hear a good deal of vibrato in the national styles of Czech (the French style is supposed to have been established by Bohemian players imported by Louis XIV), Russian, East German, French, and Italian styles of horn playing. All a matter of taste (or lack thereof) and acculturation.

Fabulous French Horns.......2006-04-10

I am not a musician, but a music lover and just happened to stumble upon this magnificent CD by accident. I am now an avid fan of the french horn. If you can get your hands on a copy, buy it! Enjoy.

Excellent Selections, Bad playing.......2004-04-07

This CD on the Erato label has many great selections including the rare Konzertstuck for hour horns in orchestra. However, the performers play with too much vibrato, particularly on the pieces from the classical era. Even though the collection includes the incredible Konzertstuck, it is played most poorly, with a very obvious crack on the high E. If you want an alternate recording of the Konzertstuck, there is a phenomenal one with Gerard Schwarz and the Seattle Symphony on the Delos label. If it is the Mozart concerti you want, I suggest the classic Dennis Brain recordings. If you really enjoy the sound of vibrato on a horn, then get this CD. You will not find horns that play with more vibrato than these guys.

The French Horn:Opinion.......2001-10-18

I thought this CD was really quite good. The tone I liked espcially, although the music did not provoke a major reaction or reach out and grab me. If you don't know if you would like to buy this soundtrack, I think you should. The more I listened to the music, the more I enjoyed it.

An excellent production.......2000-09-15

I studied Horn at the Royal Academy of Music in the early 80's. The trend was already moving away from the huge sound of the wide bored instruments of the 70's. If you like French horn tone to remind you of Disney's Fantasia then do not buy this CD, but if you admire a sensitive and refined performance you won't do better than this. The tone is east European with its distinctive yet subtle vibrato. The Conzertstuck is awesome. (Listen for the 1st horn freaking out at 40,000 feet in the last movement at 7:52)

Average customer rating: Great Horn on difficult pieces wonderful in every aspect

Mozart: Horn Concertos Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music French Horn | Brass | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Similar Items: Mozart: Concerto for clarinet in A; Concerto for bassoon in Bf Baroque Trumpet Concertos Mozart: Requiem, Exsultate jubilate Mozart: Horn Concertos Nos. 1-4 Virtuoso Horn ASIN: B00004TV9F Release Date: 2000-06-27

Tracks:

1. I. Allegro
2. II. Rondo. Allegro
3. I. Allegroi Maestoso
4. II. Andante
5. III. Rondo. Allegro
6. I. Allegro
7. II. Romance. Larghetto
8. III. Allegro
9. I. Allegro Moderato
10. II. Romanza. Andante Cantabile
11. III. Rondo. Allegro Vivace
12. Rondo in E Flat, K.371

Customer Reviews:

Great Horn on difficult pieces.......2007-02-12

If you like great intune Horn you will Love this CD.

wonderful in every aspect.......2003-09-12

A horn-player friend introduced me to this CD when I was down-and-out about the Mozart concerti, frustrated with all the recordings I'd heard and my own performances. I've studied horn for almost 10 years now and I have to say I was absolutely _floored_ when I heard the crisp attacks, beautiful tone, and unique but expert interpretation which are consistently present on this album.

I know it sounds like blasphemy, but I think this CD is better than the Brain recording, better than the Alan Civil recording, better than any I've heard (I have about 5 by "big-name" horn players). Also, the cadenzas are really original and enjoyable, although at times I feel they stray from a direct adherence to the principles of Mozart's time.

The orchestra is a little thick and misbalanced at times, but at times I also hear some parts I'd never heard before. This recording literally revitalizes the Mozart concerti for me, and I'd recommend it to anyone.

Average customer rating: Brilliant, assertive Mozart. Sound of horn? No, Bad trombone......Needs to be Fired. Where's the music? A great cd (at a great price) . . .

Mozart Four Horn Concertos / Dale Clevenger / Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra (Sony) Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Leopold Mozart | Mozart, Leopold | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Classical | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music French Horn | Brass | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Symphonies | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music ASIN: B0000029RN Release Date: 1996-09-24

Tracks:

1. Concerto For Horn And Orchestra In D Major, K. 412: I. Allegro
2. Concerto For Horn And Orchestra In D Major, K. 412: II. Rondo. Allegro
3. Concerto For Horn And Orchestra In E-Flat Major, K. 417: I. Allegro
4. Concerto For Horn And Orchestra In E-Flat Major, K. 417: II. Andante
5. Concerto For Horn And Orchestra In E-Flat Major, K. 417: III. Rondo. Allegro
6. Concerto For Horn And Orchestra In E-Flat Major, K. 447: I. Allegro
7. Concerto For Horn And Orchestra In E-Flat Major, K. 447: II. Romance. Larghetto
8. Concerto For Horn And Orchestra In E-Flat Major, K. 447: III. Allegro
9. Concerto For Horn And Orchestra In E-Flat Major, K. 495: I. Allegro moderato
10. Concerto For Horn And Orchestra In E-Flat Major, K. 495: II. Romance. Andante cantabile
11. Concerto For Horn And Orchestra In E-Flat Major, K. 495: III. Rondo. Allegro vivace
12. Concert Rondeau For Horn And Orchestra In E-Flat Major, K. 371: Allegro
13. Sinfonia pastorella (Alpenhornsymphonic) In G Major: I. Allegro
14. Sinfonia pastorella (Alpenhornsymphonic) In G Major: II. Andante (Corno tacet)
15. Sinfonia pastorella (Alpenhornsymphonic) In G Major: III. Presto

Customer Reviews:

Brilliant, assertive Mozart........2005-11-25

Dale Clevenger is a brilliant virtuoso, who plays the horn as a brass instrument, not as a woodwind. If you're seeking the latter, this recording is not for you. Mozart is served by Clevenger's masculine, aggressive style. No wonder the Chicago Symphony's brass is nonpareil.

Sound of horn? No, Bad trombone......Needs to be Fired........2004-03-06

Clevenger has a Trumpet/Trombone sound on the French Horn. He is an insult to American Horn players and needs to quit(or get fired) from his Principal position of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Besides ruining hundreds of horn students, he promotes lackluster section playing and degrades the sound of American orchestras with his teaching. The CSO horn section also sounds horriable under his control.

Where's the music?.......2004-01-11

Clevenger certainly plays the notes, but that's about it for this lackluster recording. Who cares about recording quality when what's being recorded is stagnant? The interpretation is subpar, even for Clevenger, with very little emotion, dynamic contrast, or movement, and, while I'm no expert, tempi seem chosen at random (i.e. not informed by historical research). This reminds me of the story of Dennis Brain reading a car magazine while recording Mozart K.495, except Brain still managed to put life and spunk into the music. Clevenger does not. I highly suggest the Lowell Greer, Radovan Vlatkovic, or Alan Civil recordings of the Mozart as astounding examples of what can be done with this music.

A great cd (at a great price) . . ........2002-02-15

Mozart only wrote four concertos for horns, and Dale Clevenger on trumpet delivers a powerful performance with the Budapest Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra on this bargain-priced Sony release. Unlike the majority of the Sony Classics line reissues, Mozart's Horn Concertos are DDD (even though the sinfonia by his father that's been tacked onto the end of the cd is ADD).

Each horn concerto is performed expertly, and the sound quality is great (even the ADD recording of Leopold Mozart's sinfonia sounds good, despite the invariable background hiss associated with many ADD recordings; fortunately, that hiss is barely noticeable here). Philips and Deutsche Grammophon both offer Mozart's horn concertos at full price. While I'm sure both versions are very good, I'm in no hurry to sample them. Sony and Clevenger on this disc deliver excellent performances with high-quality sound. And at such a low price, it's irresistible.

Average customer rating:

Mozart: The 4 Horn Concertos; Rondo in E flat Manufacturer: Pentatone ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music French Horn | Brass | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Mozart: Wind Concertos [Hybrid SACD] Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto (Hybr) Russian Violin Concertos [Hybrid SACD] Bach: The Goldberg Variations 1955 Performance: Zenph Re-performance Gaucho ASIN: 9051861052 Release Date: 2003-03-25

Music Review:

1. Mozart: Concertos for piano No20; Concertos for piano No19
2. Mozart: Concertos for violin No4; Symphony No33
3. Mozart: "Coronation" Concerto; Concerto for Flute, Harp & Orchestra
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5. Mozart: Nozze di Figaro K492; Eine kleine Nachtmusik No13
6. Mozart: Piano Concerto Nos. 9 & 17
7. Mozart: Sonatas for Piano and Violin, Vol. 3
8. Mozart: Violin Concertos Nos. 2-4
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10. Palestrina: Motets & Madrigals

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