Mozart: Horn Concertos Nos. 1-4

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Composer), Neville Marriner (Conductor), Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields
• Conductor: Neville Marriner
• Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
• Audio CD (March 25, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B00005RD9N
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #113,226 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #93 in Music > Classical > Instruments > Brass > French Horn

Track Listings

1. Horn Concerto No. 1 in D major, K. 412/514 (K. 386b): I. Rondo: Allegro

2. Horn Concerto No. 1 in D major, K. 412/514 (K. 386b): II. Allegro

3. Horn Concerto No. 2 in E flat major, K. 417: I. Allegro maestoso

4. Horn Concerto No. 2 in E flat major, K. 417: II. Andante

5. Horn Concerto No. 2 in E flat major, K. 417: III. Rondo

6. Horn Concerto No. 3 in E flat major, K. 447: I. Allegro

7. Horn Concerto No. 3 in E flat major, K. 447: II. Romanza: Larghetto

8. Horn Concerto No. 3 in E flat major, K. 447: III. Allegro

9. Horn Concerto No. 4 in E flat major, K. 495: I. Allegro moderato

10. Horn Concerto No. 4 in E flat major, K. 495: II. Romanza: Andante

11. Horn Concerto No. 4 in E flat major, K. 495: III. Rondo: Allegro vivace

12. Movement for horn & orchestra in E major (fragment), (K. 494a)

13. Rondo for horn & orchestra in E flat major (fragment), K. 371

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

64 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This needs to be the "other" recording, May 31, 2005

By 

R. M. Rogers (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mozart: Horn Concertos Nos. 1-4 (Audio CD)

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.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Performances of Great Music at a Giveaway Price!, August 28, 2007

By 

Doug - Haydn Fan (California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Mozart: Horn Concertos Nos. 1-4 (Audio CD)

The Mozart Horn Concertos remain jewels beyond praise. Here we have excellent accompaniment and a superb soloist. And the price!
For those new to classical music this makes a wonderful starting point, and for anyone playing a brass instrument this makes a wonderful gift.
Should you enjoy classical music, but not already have a recording of this music here's a great chance to add hours of upbeat glorious music listening to your collection. This is about as positive as music gets, and a gift you can enjoy many many times throughout your life.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Tuckwell version!, February 20, 2008

By 

Ryan Kouroukis "In 1882 Richard Wagner said: ... - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mozart: Horn Concertos Nos. 1-4 (Audio CD)

After years of searching for my favorite version of the Horn concertos I found this one thanks to the recommendation of the penguin guide (they're good for some things y'know).

I've heard about a dozen versions and never settled on any of them (even the Brain and the other Tuckwell's).

This version should be the best example to Tuckwell's art. He brings out the depth and range of the instrument while staying commited to beauty and life.

The recording actually sounds like a live recording or like they didn't talk about anything at all...just went in there like geniuses and taped them down in one session!

Tuckwell and Marriner are truly insipred in this recording. Tuckwell is daring, strong, and passionate...Marriner is brisk and thoughtful, with strong and clean orchestral attacks (like in his other excellent version with the less individual Civil).

Enjoy!