Customer Reviews

Mozart: Horn Concertos Nos. 1-4

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

It was what was expected. The best known horn conderti by one of the worlds best hornists.

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.

As I've said before in some of my other reviews of these EMI bargain discs, I just don't know how they keep doing it! I have bought several, and I have been in awe of the artistry and sound of these recordings. Of course, this one couldn't miss. A legendary composer, A spectacular soloist, and the best chamber orchestra and Maestro in existence - what's not to like?

I'm not a technical expert in any stretch of the imagination, but all I know is that I have heard these concertos many times before by various artists, and too often the sound has been far less than perfect. The horn solo parts have often had a bitter harshness to them that Mozart could not have foreseen. In this recording, the balance between the soloist and the accompaniment is perfect. I don't know if that is the result of Tuckwell's expertise, Mariner and the ASMF accompaniment or the recording technical expertise. I suspect that it is a combination of all of the above. In any case, this CD is spectacular and will afford you many hours of pure enjoyment.

Barry Tuckwell may be the best french horn player in the world. Mozart is Mozart, hard to beat. Put them together and you have a fantastic piece of music.

CD arrived very, very quickly & in great shape. The instrumentalist (french horn) has very good tone.

This recording has good production values, considering its date. I found the orchestra somewhat lacking, but Tuckwell is hard to beat. It was the first "used" CD purchased through Amazon and I was satisfied with the product and the service.

If you love the sound of French Horns, trumpets, etc., you will really enjoy this CD.