Brain/Karajan: Mozart 4 Horn Concertos (rec. 1953) - Electrola, superb pressing

$

25

redgarnett Store ITEM DESCRIPTION:

This lovely LP from Electrola (1C 063-00414, German pressing, red label*, mono) features Dennis Brain's famous recording of Mozart's Concertos for Horn and Orchestra Nos. 1 – 4 (in D Major K. 412, in E-flat Major K. 417, in E-flat Major K. 447, and in E-flat Major K. 495), recorded with Herbert von Karajan and the Philharmonia Orchestra in the fabled acoustics of London’s Kingsway Hall in November 1953 and still among the finest versions in the catalog.

*Though not the original release, this re-issue indisputably offers better, smoother sound, and with nearly the identical artwork, this makes the perfect edition for those who treasure these remarkable performanes.

Of EMI’s “Great Recordings of the Century” CD re-issue of these performance, the eminent critic Ivan March wrote in his review for the February 1988 issue of The Gramophone:

“Boyd Neel's oft-quoted comment that Dennis Brain was the finest Mozartian soloist of his generation comes readily to mind as one listens again to his 1954 recording of the four horn concertos. Of course Walter Legge, who admired his playing enormously, gave him an estimable advantage in securing Karajan to conduct the Philharmonia in the accompaniments. So many concerto records are spoiled by ineffective partnerships, but not this one.

“Again and again Karajan matches the graceful line of the solo phrasing (the Romanza of No. 3, K 7, is just one ravishing example), while in the allegros the crisply articulated, often witty comments from the Philharmonia violins are a joy—I instance the Rondo of No. 2 K 17 or the dainty grace and tight, gossamer t Is in the first movement of No. 4, K 95. The glorious tone and the richly lyrical phrasing every note is alive—from Brain himself is life-enhancing in its radiant warmth. The flowing Andante of No. 2, the lovely Romanza of No. 3, and perhaps most enchanting of all the espressivo of the Romanza of No. 4. The Rondos have been much broadcast over the years by the BBC (Michael Flanders and Donald Swan did a marvellous parody of one of them, conscious that the tune was familiar to their listeners). They are not just spirited, buoyant, infectious and smiling, although they are all of these things, but they have the kind of natural flow that Beecham gave to Mozart.

There is also much dynamic subtlety—Brain doesn't just repeat the main theme the same as the first time, but alters its level and colour. His legacy to the next generation of British horn players (and those that have followed on afterwards) was to show them that the horn—a notoriously difficult instrument—could be tamed absolutely and that it could yield a lyrical line and a range of colour to match any other solo instrument. He was snatched away from us in his prime (killed in a car accident while travelling home overnight from the Edinburgh Festival—his driving was as legendary as his playing on September 1st, 1957). He left us this supreme Mozartian testament which may be approached by others (indeed, Barry Tuckwell Alan Civil and more recently Michael Thompson have all done so) but never quite equalled, for his was uniquely inspirational music-making, with a quality something like innocence to make it the more endearing.”

There are superb liner notes with musical illustrations on the reverse side of the jacket by M.A., printed in German only. The striking cover photo/design is uncredited.

CONDITION:

The gradations of condition I use are as follows: MINT, Near-Mint, Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor.

The condition of the jacket is EXCELLENT+. There is light edgewear, but that is all. There are no seamsplits, owners’ markings, bends, or other defects, and the album remains solid, bright, glossy, and highly attractive – an excellent collector’s copy.

The condition of the LP is near-MINT and playback is superb – overall, a truly fine collector's copy.

PLEASE NOTE:
This LP has been carefully cleaned using a VPI cleaning machine. All LPs are provided with a new Nagaoka (or Nagaoka-style) inner sleeve. The images I've provided are of the actual item you are potentially bidding on - these are not stock images or images I've taken from other sites. Bid with confidence!

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