Dennis Brain plays Richard Strauss Horn Concerto No. 2 in E Flat (1/2)

Richard Strauss:
Horn Concerto No. 2 in E Flat Major
I. Allegro - Tranquilio
Horn: Dennis Brain
Cond.: Wolfgang Sawallisch
Philharmonia Orchestra

For the ex-horn player Lynda, or Youtube screen name LLJtbone, and for horn lovers everywhere.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Classical
• Music
• Horn
• Concerto
• No.
• in
• Flat
• Richard
• Strauss
• Dennis
• Brain
• Wolfgang
• Sawallisch
• Philharmonia
• Orchestra
• Sinfoniette

[Laanen]

Yes, a HERO !

[amcmahonirl]

Thank you so much for posting.

[jamesmb444]

Almost Neoclassical. I was checking to see if I had the right piece. But no, can't miss those Wagnerian chords. (Yes, he was the Reichsmussikamer. At the same time he refused to use the Nazi greetings, used his position to perform the works of "Decadent" composers like Mahler and Debussy, and went to bat numerous times for his Jewish relatives.)

[3sweetthings]

@bobwertman Definitely not. Just because he lived in that era means nothing.

[Argyll9846]

Truly one of the worlds greatest musicians and still the greatest French horn player of all time - there is Dennis Brain then... fresh air.

[bobwertman]

Such a wonderful composer. It's a shame he was a Nazi.

[Redcorn84]

@piliage Yes, his instrument of choice was the Raoux, in which was a French made piston valve horn. but at the time period of this recording he was using an Alexander single Bb "French" Horn. In 1951 he switched to the Alexander Horn, which he played until his untimely death in 1957. This definitely sounds to be a Bb Alexander Horn.

[piliage]

@EuphDude10 The copyright is (was) held by Boosey & Hawkes. I'm sure you can order it online from any decent horn shop. Osmuns in Boston, Paxman in the UK, Witchita Band, Anaheim Band in California.

[piliage]

@DylanHornVillain Yes, but it is quite difficult. A great concerto though, but really challenging. Difficult for the orchestra too when you play the full thing.

[piliage]

@Redcorn84 Brain's instrument of choice was the Raoux, a French made horn. The Alex was an easier 'modern' horn later, but he saw it as a compromise. Most players in 19th century London were German (Adolf Bosdorf et al). Thus, a unique situation of German/Bohemian technique applied to a light French instrument giving the distinctive sound of all the Brian's, a true horn dynasty. This is also why we say French horn in English; the Brits played "French" made horns. Everywhere else it's just Horn

[shib340]

This is on an early single horn model..amazing