Mozart: 3 Wind Concertos

1. Flute Concerto No. 1 in G major, K. 313 (K. 285c)
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performed by London Mozart Players Conducted by Jane Glover

2. Oboe Concerto in C major, K. 314 (K. 285d)
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performed by London Mozart Players with Celia Nicklin
Conducted by Jane Glover

3. Clarinet Concerto in A major, K. 622
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performed by London Mozart Players with Angela Malsbury
Conducted by Jane Glover

Tracks:

Horn Concerto No.1 In D, K.412: Allegro
Horn Concerto No.1 In D, K.412: Rondo (Allegro)
Horn Concerto No.2 In E Flat, K.417: Allegro maestoso
Horn Concerto No.2 In E Flat, K.417: Andante
Horn Concerto No.2 In E Flat, K.417: Rondo
Horn Concerto No.3 In E Flat, K.447: Allegro
Horn Concerto No.3 In E Flat, K.447: Romance (Larghetto)
Horn Concerto No.3 In E Flat, K.447: Allegro
Horn Concerto No.4 In E Flat, K.495: Allegro moderato
Horn Concerto No.4 In E Flat, K.495: Romance (Andante)
Horn Concerto No.4 In E Flat, K.495: Rondo (Allegro vivace)
Quintet In E Flat For Piano And Wind K.452: Largo-Allegro moderato
Quintet In E Flat For Piano And Wind K.452: Larghetto
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 Value Far Exceeds the Cost
Value Packed Concerto Set
Great Set of Concertos
Fine performances with superb accompaniments.
Great de Peyers and Tuckwell performances

Mozart: Wind Concertos

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000040OX6
Release Date: 2000-02-08

Tracks:

Clarinet Concerto In A Major, K622: I Allegro
Clarinet Concerto In A Major, K622: II Adagio
Clarinet Concerto In A Major, K622: III Rondo; Allegro
Flute Concerto No. 1 In G Major, K313 (285C): I Allegro maestoso
Flute Concerto No. 1 In G Major, K313 (285C): II Adagio non troppo
Flute Concerto No. 1 In G Major, K313 (285C): III Rondo: Tempo di menuetto
Oboe Concerto In C Major, K314: I Allegro aperto
Oboe Concerto In C Major, K314: II Adagio non troppo
Oboe Concerto In C Major, K314: III Rondo: Allegretto

Tracks:

Bassoon Concerto In B Flat Major, K191: I Allegro
Bassoon Concerto In B Flat Major, K191: II Andante ma adagio
Bassoon Concerto In B Flat Major, K191: III Rondo: Tempo di menuetto
Horn Concerto No. 1 In D Major, K412: I Allegro
Horn Concerto No. 1 In D Major, K412: II Rondo: Allegro
Horn Concerto No. 2 In E Flat Major, K417: I Allegro
Horn Concerto No. 2 In E Flat Major, K417: II Andante
Horn Concerto No. 2 In E Flat Major, K417: III Rondo: Allegro
Horn Concerto No. 3 In E Flat Major, K447: I Allegro
Horn Concerto No. 3 In E Flat Major, K447: II Romance: Larghetto
Horn Concerto No. 3 In E Flat Major, K447: III Allegro
Horn Concerto No. 4 In E Flat Major, K495: I Allegro maestoso
Horn Concerto No. 4 In E Flat Major, K495: II Romance: Andante cantabile
Horn Concerto No. 4 In E Flat Major, K495: III Rondo: Allegro vivace

Customer Reviews:

The Value Far Exceeds the Cost.......2005-06-28

Not only does this 2-CD set present a great set of pieces by Mozart, but the renditions given are among the best anywhere. Much good has been said about the performances of the clarinet and horn concertos, and rightly so. I must, however, being a flute player, comment on William Bennett's wonderful G Major concerto: you would be hard-pressed to find a more songful and intense recording. The bassoon concerto is the best I've heard, as is the oboe concerto. The horn concertos, though thoroughly enjoyable, are bested by James Sommerville. I would also recommend you compare the clarinet concerto here with Bohm's on DG, which is transcendent.

Value Packed Concerto Set.......2002-01-19

Outstanding value from this two-CD set. Highlighting this solid recording is a marvelous clarinet performance by de Peyer backed solidly by the London Symphony and what could be the best of the horn renderings of Mozart's Concertos by Tuckwell again with the London Symphony. The balance and mood here by their interpretation is excellent, with the strength and toning by de Peyer and Tuckwell superb.

These are ably supplemented by very able renditions of the oboe and bassoon concertos respectively by Mack and McGill with the Cleveland Orchestra.

One will not go astray by having this set in their collection.

Great Set of Concertos.......2001-03-19

This is a marvelous set of mozart's wind concertos. De Peyer is an incredible musician who executes the clarinet concerto with sheer brilliance. Elegant and refined, this is the only recording of this concerto you'll ever need. The flute and bassoon concertos are remarkable as well. John Mack is a wonderful player who shapes the most beautiful phrases in the oboe concerto, and puts a touch of elegance on every note he plays. Tuckwell is a notoriously excellent musician, and his interpretation of the horn concertos are certainly 1st-rate, with an accompaniment to match. These CD's are certainly an asset to any Mozart-lover.

Fine performances with superb accompaniments........2000-09-07

Both Barry Tuckwell on horn and Gervais de Peyer on clarinet are fine soloists who play their respective concertos beautifully. However, it is the suberb accompaniments by Peter Maag -- an extremely gifted Mozart conductor -- which provide the polish which makes this a 5-star set.

Great de Peyers and Tuckwell performances.......2000-04-04

The clarinet concerto played by de Peyer is undoubtedly the best recorded performance of this great concerto. The sound is absolutely beautiful and the interpretation is retrained but elegant to the extreme. The orchestra under Maag played precisely and stylishly. In spite of the age of this recording, the sonic quality is very fine. Tuckwell's performance is as fantastic as one would expect from the all time greatest horn player.

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

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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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!

Mozart: Horn Concertos 1-4; Quintet K 452

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

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ASIN: B000BPN24U
Release Date: 2006-01-10

Tracks:

Allegro
Rondo (Allegro) (K514, Arr. Submayr)
Allegro Maestoso
Andante
Rondo
Allegro
Romance (Largehtto)
Allegro
Allegro Moderato
Romance (Andante)
Rondo (Allegro Vivace)
Largo-Allegro Moderato - Dennis Brain Wind Ensemble
Larghetto - Dennis Brain Wind Ensemble
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.

Mozart: Violin Concertos; Wind Concertos

Average customer rating:

Mozart at his best

Mozart: Violin Concertos; Wind Concertos

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00004YSBF
Release Date: 2006-01-10

Customer Reviews:

Mozart at his best.......2006-07-10

Excellent recording;

As good as the Christopher Hogwood interpretation I oredered in the first place.

Average customer rating:

Among the greatest recordings ever made
An Excellent Recording

Mozart: Horn Concertos; Quintet, K.452

Manufacturer: Angel Records
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Binding: Audio CD

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Release Date: 1997-09-16

Amazon.com

Mozart's horn concertos are among his most delightful works, full of lovely melodies and ample opportunities for virtuosos of that treacherous instrument to show their stuff. Dennis Brain, scion of a famous horn-playing family, was the world's leading hornist when these recordings were made in the early 1950s, some years before his tragic death in an auto accident, and they still rank as a major feature in his recorded legacy. His tonal beauty is extraordinary, his technique the envy of his peers, and his rhythmic command exceptional. The catalogue is full of versions of these popular works, but Brain's continues to be the one to have if you're having only one. Good, straightforward accompaniments, and the great orchestra shines. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

Among the greatest recordings ever made.......2006-07-30

In 30 years buying, selling, trading, collecting and making LPs, CDs, cassettes, reel-to-reel tapes and CDs of classical music and reading classical music reviews, I have not experienced another recording that so dominates its repertoire as this one: the 4 Horn Concertos and Quintet K. 452 of Mozart.

Every critic I have ever read or heard has ranked this recording above all others in this repertoire. That was reinforced earlier this year when Barry Tuckwell's wonderful recording was re-released, a time when critics around the world took time to say Tuckwell is marvelous, but Brain is out of this world. Many gave Tuckwell the ultimate compliment, calling his recording their second favorite recording of the concertos or, perhaps, their favorite modern recording.

Once you listen to Brain it is not hard to understand why every critic has been bowled over by this recording since it was made more than 50 years ago. Brain plays his instrument to produce a singular sound that no one can replicate. Not only is his tone and breath control more remarkable than anyone else's, his sound is as if his instrument is a combination French horn and trombone. Brain produces a deeper, richer, more robust sound than anyone else.

I am not an expert in this repertoire but I have heard a number of outstanding renditions of the horn concertos and the other bit parts for horn Mozart penned. Among the better ones I'v heard are the aforementioned Tuckwell and Radovan Vlatkovic on modern instruments and performances on CD by Lowell Greer and Anthony Halstead on period horns. Greer's collection is outstanding and can be had for as little as $3 or $4 used from an Amazon vendor.

My favorite living horn player, Marie Luise Neunecker, recorded the Mozart concertos some years ago on Novalis. That recording, like much of her CD repertoire, is out of print.

I was equally surpirsed that Brain's quintet would also become a benchmark recording in the K. 452 quintet, a piece that has been recorded by many virtuoso groups over the years. Not only does Brain's group play this music as well as I've ever heard it, their playing is akin to having a basketball team comprised of five Michael Jordans: they all sound best at their part and they play with spontaneous individuality within the constraints of a group effort. Every part is always displayed even though the organic whole supercedes every part.

The recording of these 52 and 53-year old performances is another marvel, as is the restrained and sensitive accompaniment the young Herbert von Karajan the and Philharmonia Orchestra provided for virtuoso Brain in the horn concertos. Here is a recording that will probably always be the top recommendation in repertoire that will be played and recorded as long as man survives on this planet. I don't know of another recording from any period about which I can say that.

An Excellent Recording.......2001-06-23

Mozart's Horn Concertos are four of my favorite pieces of music, and this is by far my favorite recording of them. In fact, this recording was responsible for me learning to play the french horn. The tone is both crisp and light, with the mellow timbre of the horn maintained. Highly recommended!

Mozart: The Wind Concertos /AAM * Hogwood

Average customer rating:

fluent musicality
Enjoyable Clarinet, Weak Horn.
another fine recording from Hogwood and the AAM
Mozart: The Wind Concertos
A must-buy for the Mozart or period music fan

Mozart: The Wind Concertos /AAM * Hogwood

Manufacturer: Decca / L'Oiseau-Lyre
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000JLF7
Release Date: 1999-07-20

Tracks:

Clarinet Concerto In A Major, K622: I Allegro
Clarinet Concerto In A Major, K622: II Adagio
Clarinet Concerto In A Major, K622: III Rondo: Allegro
Oboe Concerto In C Major, K314: I Allegro aperto
Oboe Concerto In C Major, K314: II Adagio non troppo
Oboe Concerto In C Major, K314: III Rondo: Allegretto

Tracks:

Flute And Harp Concerto In C Major, K299: I Allegro
Flute And Harp Concerto In C Major, K299: II Andantino
Flute And Harp Concerto In C Major, K299: III. Rondeau: Allegro
Andante For Flute And Orchestra In C Major, K315
Bassoon Concerto In B Flat Major, K191: I. Allegro
Bassoon Concerto In B Flat Major, K191: II. Andante ma adagio
Bassoon Concerto In B Flat Major, K191: III. Rondo: Tempo di Menuetto
Flute Concerto No. 1 In G Major, K313: I. Allegro maestoso
Flute Concerto No. 1 In G Major, K313: II. Adagio ma non troppo
Flute Concerto No. 1 In G Major, K313: III. Rondo: Tempo di Menuetto

Tracks:

Concerto In E Flat Major, K 447: I. Allegro
Concerto In E Flat Major, K 447: II. Romance: Larghetto
Concerto In E Flat Major, K 447: III. Allegro
Concerto In E Flat Major, K 417: I. (Allegro)
Concerto In E Flat Major, K 417: II. Andante
Concerto In E Flat Major, K 417: III. Rondo (Allegro)
Rondeau In E Flat Major, K 371
Concerto In E Flat Major, K 495: I. Allegro maestoso
Concerto In E Flat Major, K 495: II. Romance: Andante cantabile
Concerto In E Flat Major, K 495: III. Rondo: Allegro vivace
Concerto In D Major, K 412: I. Allegro
Concerto In E Flat Major, K 495: II. Rondo: Allegro
Rondo In D Major, K 514

Amazon.com essential recording

It would be hard to find more appealing treatments of Mozart's wind concertos than these from Christopher Hogwood and the Academy of Ancient Music, featuring a distinguished group of period-instrument soloists. Leading the way, and playing a deliciously mellow-sounding basset clarinet, Anthony Pay gives a splendid account of what is surely Mozart's most beautiful concerto, the Clarinet Concerto in A, K. 622. Pay's shadings are soft and natural, his embellishments simply marvelous, and he and Hogwood are right on the mark when it comes to tempo, expression, and accent. Another delight is the spirited and expressive playing of Lisa Beznosiuk, both in the Flute Concerto, K. 313, and in the Concerto for Flute and Harp, K. 299, where she shares solo honors with Frances Kelly. Michel Piguet is a formidable soloist in the Oboe Concerto, K. 314, and Danny Bond achieves wonders with a period instrument in the Bassoon Concerto, K. 191. Not to be outdone, Anthony Halstead delivers crisp, athletic work in the various concertos and concerto movements for horn, and manages to get a wonderfully fat tone from both of his instruments, modern copies of valveless period horns. Hogwood and the Academy give dependably bold, energetic readings across the board, their playing full of verve in the tuttis and suitably transparent in the quiet pages. While the recordings, made between 1984 and 1993, are all quite good, the works for horn benefit from a particularly effective engineering job, with sound that is exceptionally well balanced and silky. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

fluent musicality.......2006-02-18

The best recording that there is on the Natural horn (hand-horn). I have got some rival CDs by Koster, Brown, Greer, Baumann and Halstead's earlier Nimbus recording. The Hogwood/ AAM CD is definitely the best of the bunch owing to Mr Halstead's lovely, fluent musicality, and the superb orchestral playing under Mr Hogwood.

Enjoyable Clarinet, Weak Horn........2004-03-26

My first impression of this CD was that it had excellent recordings, for I only listened to the clarinet and oboe concertos, so I decided to buy it. The harp and flute concertos were, also, very enjoyable, but i did not particularly like the horn. I, myself, and a horn player, and I have a good idea of what kind of elements are expected in the Mozart horn concertos. The Allegro movement of the 1st concerto played (Hn. Concerto No.1 in E-flat Major) had a very shrill sound to it, and the tonguing was far too harsh. This also appeared in the Rondo Allegro movement of the 3rd concerto played (Hn. Concerto No.4 in E-flat Major). Near the beginning of the Rondo movement of the second played (Hn. Concerto No.3), the horn plays an arpegio up to a high B-flat (Which is fairly high for the horn), but this recording puts a lot of stress on the high B-flat, but all the notes should be even and have a consistant air stream. It was very painful to listen to. Even though these sections were relatively poor, I felt that the Romance: Larghetto movement of Hn. Concerto 1, and the Romance: Andante Cantabile movement of Hn. Concerto 4 were very nice. If you are seeking for a recording of the Horn Concertos, I wouldn't recommend this CD, however, if you are seeking the Clarient Concerto, or Oboe or Flute or Harp, I would absolutely recommend this, because they were simply excellent.

another fine recording from Hogwood and the AAM.......2003-01-11

These concertos are important additions to anyone's Mozart collection. Excellent performances on period instruments, extremely informative liner notes, clear, balanced, superb digital recordings.... everything we have come to expect from Christopher Hogwood and the Academy of Ancient Music. Highly recommended

Mozart: The Wind Concertos.......2001-01-13

I am partial to Hogwood and AAM for their interpretations of Mozart's works. The clarinet and oboe concertos with Pay and Piguet in particular are "reference standard" class. The flute and harp are very pleasing to listen to. The horn concerto is the weakest of the three (I'm stilling waiting for another Dennis Brain I guess), but this 3-CD set is still a particularly good value. For example, the single title "Mozart: Clarinet Concerto, Oboe Concerto / Hogwood", is listed by ...... for ....

A must-buy for the Mozart or period music fan.......2000-03-14

Quite simply, you haven't heard Mozart's wind concerti until you've heard this recording. This is as close as you can get to hearing the music as Mozart wrote it to be played. For instance, in the oboe concerto, concessions to the period style and Mozart's original score _must_ be made due to the sheer physical limitations of the original two-keyed instrument used in the recording, made in 1783. In the horn concerti, the tone color difference between the stopped and unstopped notes is remarkable; you can't get this kind of drastic effect on a modern valved instrument (although some might wonder if you'd _want_ to get this effect ;). Nonetheless, it provides a unique window into both late 18th century playing style and Mozart's compositional genius.

However, not only do the period instruments do justice to the timbres Mozart himself heard and used, but the use of 18th century original and reproduction instruments allows the _original_ editions of Mozart's music to be used. The ever popular Clarinet Concerto in A was, in fact, written for the deeper ranged basset horn (aka basset clarinet) in A, not a "regular" clarinet. Hence, all editions for clarinet must transpose several passages up an octave to avoid the lower notes of the basset horn not covered by the clarinet. This fundamentally changes the character of whole sections of the piece.

Tracks:

Concerto For Flute, Harp & Orchestra In C, KV 299-297c: 1: Allegro
Concerto For Flute, Harp & Orchestra In C, KV 299-297c: 2: Andantino
Concerto For Flute, Harp & Orchestra In C, KV 299-297c: 3: Rondeau (Allegro)
Flute Concerto In G, KV 313-285c: 1: Allegro maestoso
Flute Concerto In G, KV 313-285c: 2: Adagio non troppo
Flute Concerto In G, KV 313-285c: 3: Rondo (Tempo di menuetto)
Andante For Flute And Orchestra In C, KV 315-285e

Tracks:

Clarinet Concerto In A, KV 622: 1. Allegro
Clarinet Concerto In A, KV 622: 2. Adagio
Clarinet Concerto In A, KV 622: 3. Rondo (Allegro)
Bassoon Concerto In B Flat, KV 191-186e: 1. Allegro
Bassoon Concerto In B Flat, KV 191-186e: 2. Andante ma adagio
Bassoon Concerto In B Flat, KV 191-186e: 3. Rondo (Tempo di menuetto)

Tracks:

Horn Concerto In D, KV 386b (KV 412 & 514): 1. (Allegro) KV 412
Horn Concerto In D, KV 386b (KV 412 & 514): 2. Allegro KV 514
Horn Concerto In E Flat, KV 417: 1. Allegro maestoso
Horn Concerto In E Flat, KV 417: 2. Andante
Horn Concerto In E Flat, KV 417: 3. Rondo
Horn Concerto In E Flat, KV 447: 1. Allegro
Horn Concerto In E Flat, KV 447: 2. Romanze (Larghetto)
Horn Concerto In E Flat, KV 447: 3. Allegro
Horn Concerto In E Flat, KV 495: 1. Allegro moderato
Horn Concerto In E Flat, KV 495: 2. Romanza (Andante)
Horn Concerto In E Flat, KV 495: 3. Rondo (Allegro vivace)
Rondo For Horn And Orchestra In E Flat, KV 371

Tracks:

Sinfonia concertante In E Flat, KV App. 9-297B - For Flute, Oboe, Horn, Bassoon & Orchestra: 1. Allegro
Sinfonia concertante In E Flat, KV App. 9-297B - For Flute, Oboe, Horn, Bassoon & Orchestra: 2. Adagio
Sinfonia concertante In E Flat, KV App. 9-297B - For Flute, Oboe, Horn, Bassoon & Orchestra: 3. Andantino con variazioni
Oboe Concerto In C, KV (314)-217K: 1. Allegro aperto
Oboe Concerto In C, KV (314)-217K: 2.Adagio non troppo
Oboe Concerto In C, KV (314)-217K: 3. Rondo ( Allegretto)

Tracks:

Flute Concerto In D, KV 314-285d: 1. Allegro aperto
Flute Concerto In D, KV 314-285d: 2. Andante ma non troppo
Flute Concerto In D, KV 314-285d: 3. Allegro
Sinfonia concertante In E Flat, KV App. C14.01-297b: 1. Allegro
Sinfonia concertante In E Flat, KV App. C14.01-297b: 2. Adagio
Sinfonia concertante In E Flat, KV App. C14.01-297b: 3. Andantino con variazioni

Customer Reviews:

If you love Mozart's Woodwind Music..........2001-07-20

These are the CD's for you! Just plain wonderful music. Great music played beautifully as it usually is by Sir Neville Marriner and The Acadamy of St. Martin-in-the-Field. I especially love the Sinfonia Concertante K. 297b. There are two versions here. One with flute and one with oboe. Take your pick as to which you perfer. (I prefer the Oboe myself.) If you can find a better recoding of the Clarinet Concerto, buy it! The slow movement is so balanced and soothing. Horn, Oboe, Flute and Bassoon are all played with passion and precision. All four Mozart Flute Concerti are done and are one of the highlights of these recordings.

An excellent addition to any ones collection.

Tracks:

Sinfonia Concertante, KV C 14.01: Allegro - Dieter Klocker/Mi-Young Chon/Jan Schroeder/Karl-Otto Hartmann
Sinfonia Concertante, KV C 14.01: Adagio - Dieter Klocker/Mi-Young Chon/Jan Schroeder/Karl-Otto Hartmann
Sinfonia Concertante, KV C 14.01: Andantino Con Vars - Dieter Klocker/Mi-Young Chon/Jan Schroeder/Karl-Otto Hartmann
Vars in B flat After KV 382: Allegretto Grazioso - Adagio - Allegro - Dieter Klocker
Con in E flat, KV C 14.06: Adagio - Allegro Moderato - Dieter Klocker
Con in E flat, KV C 14.06: Romanze - Dieter Klocker
Con in E flat, KV C 14.06: Rondo. Allegretto - Dieter Klocker

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