Search - Carl Maria von Weber, Albert Lortzing, Camille Saint-Saens :: Romantic Horn Concertos

Romantic Waldhorn Sounds

Lowell D. Greer | Toledo, Ohio | 07/11/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD of German and French music from the Romantic era is a standout in the horn CD world. The brilliant Peter Damm is the primary soloist, and his reknown as one of the all-time greats of the horn is well deserved. His playing is superbly poetic, and marked with a vibrato like singers use. While new listeners might find that unorthodox, I had absolutely no difficulty becoming adjusted to the effect, and now prefer it to the straight tones of other players. The first recording of the Lortzing Concertino is a real treat, and takes the player through all sorts of difficulties, but the lyricism achieved by Damm is spectacular! The orchestral sound reminds us of the fact that Lortzing was a master at orchestration. The oft recorded Konzertstucke for Four Horns by Schumann bristles with hard labors for all four horn players, and this recording features the finest of teamwork from the horn players. I really love this disc, and feel tremendous gratitude to Peter Damm for having gone to the trouble to bring these pieces to our ears."