Extending Claudio Abbado’s 75th birthday celebrations into 2009, Deutsche Grammophon releases his first recording of the Mozart Horn Concertos.
This is the first album of a projected three album Mozart project encompassing works for bassoon, clarinet, harp, and flute.
Featuring virtuoso hornist Alessio Allegrini with the Orchestra Mozart, Abbado numbers Allegrini, for many years solo horn player of the Lucerne Festival Orchestra, one of his preferred exponents of this difficult instrument.
Horn Concerto in D, K. 412/514 (Allegro K.412 + Rondo K.514) - 1. Allegro
Horn Concerto in D, K. 412/514 (Allegro K.412 + Rondo K.514) - 2. Rondo (Allegro)
Horn Concerto No.2 in E flat, K.417 - 1. Allegro maestoso
Horn Concerto No.2 in E flat, K.417 - 2. Andante
Horn Concerto No.2 in E flat, K.417 - 3. Rondo
Horn Concerto No.3 in E flat, K.447 - 1. Allegro
Horn Concerto No.3 in E flat, K.447 - 2. Romanze (Larghetto)
Horn Concerto No.3 in E flat, K.447 - 3. Allegro
Horn Concerto No.4 in E flat, K.495 - 1. Allegro moderato
Horn Concerto No.4 in E flat, K.495 - 2. Romanza (Andante)
Horn Concerto No.4 in E flat, K.495 - 3. Rondo (Allegro vivace)
18th August 2011
“Allegrini’s [sound] is a marvel – mellifluous, supple and ripe...Fluency and expressive grace are equal partners here. Abbado is ever-ready with a pertinent orchestral comment, an apt emphasis or a perfectly tailored phrase. Allegrini radiates the music’s joy, lyrical allure and poise...A hugely enjoyable disc.”
18th August 2011
****
“[Allegrini] is certainly a suave instrumentalist, while once again Abbado conducts with a wonderfully light touch. The orchestra and Allegrini all play modern instruments, but there's a period sensibility about the way the textures are balanced and the phrasing shaped.”
21st August 2011
****
“ In tune with Claudio Abbado’s bracing “new-old” approach to Mozart — sparing use of string vibrato, astringent, wind-dominated textures — Allegrini’s slightly rougher-edged way with this famous music could hardly be less like Brain’s suave cantabile. Especially in the “hunting call” allegro finales, the two Italians bring a rude, rollicking alfresco quality”
21st August 2011
“[Allegrini's] tone is full but flexible, sustained but lyrical, and he manages to impart a certain wistfulness to even the jolliest rondos...The orchestra...throughout, is a model of sophistication.”
December 2011
“Allegrini can take the spotlight because he is an exceptional artist...Abbado's resilient rhythms and themes shrewdly differentiated in the first movement of K417 offer Allegrini a framework for remarkably secure playing. Remarkably varied in colour too, changing cast as the music modulates”
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Horn Concerto in D, K. 412/514 (Allegro K.412 + Rondo K.514) - 1. Allegro
