Search - Carl Maria von Weber, Johann Nepomuk Hummel, Neville Marriner :: Bassoon Concerti

The von Weber concerto as von Weber wrote it.

05/10/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A problem common to the re-issue of older--say, classical era--compositions is that editors tend to get a hold of them and change them around so that they have nothing to do with the original. The von Weber concerto is an example of this: the edition usually heard is brutally edited to the point that, in many places, whole measures have nothing to do with what von Weber actually wrote.



Here, the von Weber concerto is presented as it was actually written, without editors getting in the way. An excellent and faithful performance from one of the greatest bassoonist to ever live.



Also, being a bassoonist myself, I can say that the Hummel concerto is an absolute monster, especially coming from the late classical era. Herr Thunemann's performance is almost disturbing in its perfection; the only performance I would recommend as comparable would have to be Dag Jensen's performance on the Capriccio label, also disturbingly clean.



Go for it."

A rarity

jayvee59 | Sydney, NSW Australia | 01/06/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This recording is notable in giving us a rarely heard version of the Weber bassoon concerto, in which, during the introductory orchestral tutti, the second subject is given in the minor key. Hence this CD will perhaps be of more interest to specialist collectors of Weber or the bassoon concerto repertoire."

Every Bassoonist Should Hear This Recording

Andrew Burns | Dallas, TX USA | 01/31/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"While Klaus Thunemann is not my favorite bassoonist he is still a very capable performer. His interpretation of style is right on queue. At times it sounds as though he plays on reeds that are too hard for a proper bassoon emboucher. This gives his sound a dry cracked quality in rapidly articulated sections and staccato sections. Over-all, however, he has a good concept of sound and a very good concept of style for these pieces. The Academy of St Martin in the Fields is awesome as always. I've never heard them produce an unpolished performance. Their emsemble-skills are awesome, with no virtuosi apparent. Style is consistent in every section. The group has a good sense of balance between the different instrumental sections. The players of the naturally louder instruments can and do get outta the way for quieter instrument's solos without sacrificing sound quality. Group entrances (the simultaneous beginning of a note by multiple players)are always clean and together."