Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, Johannes Brahms, Paul [composer] Dukas :: Brain

The Best Recording of the Best Horn Player Ever Born

J. L. Estrada | Long Beach, CA USA | 06/07/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is - Thank God! - a re-release of a BBC Records Recording from 1974 Titled simply, "Dennis Brain (1921-1957)". When I was a horn student in Highschool back in the 80's, my parents brought it back for me from Europe. I have been looking for this recording on CD ever since then because I completely wore the record out. It is absolutely the best horn playing you will EVER hear. I used to play the record at least ten times a day - it inspired me to practice four hours a day and to despair that I would never play half as well as this genius. It brought tears to my eyes to hear it again and to remember what it was like to fall in love with Horn music and to spend so many happy hours rejoicing in the sound this man made with this wonderful instrument. The music is completely miraculous. What a tremendous loss he was, God rest his soul."

Once again an unforgettable cd!

W. T. Prim | Cumming, GA United States | 02/25/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As with all of Brain's performances, satisfaction is guaranteed! Not to dwell on a point brought up by the other reviewers, but the Villanelle is exceptionally spectacular. Forget the fact that he missed the high C at the end, it only spotlights the fact that this was a live performance, and unedited as such. It also shows us that we are all human, and even a missed note does not detract from the glory of his musicianship and virtuosity! This album (like others) really captures the magnificence of Brain's musiciality, from his seemingly unplayable pianissimos to his flawless and perfectly clean articulations. Nothing will help you to appreciate horn music better than this cd (and the Mozart cd) and few others will have you running to the practice room quicker. A must buy for any horn student or anyone that just appreciates horn playing at its finest."

Horn's fans BUY this cd!

alessandro dosio | 09/18/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I think this should be an essential recording for all the horn's players or fans.
Here we have some of the most important and beautiful chamber music for horn (Beethoven, Mozart and Brahms) and one of the most exciting solo piece for horn (Dukas's Villanelle).
The star of the cd is (of course) Dennis Brain, who in my humble opinion IS the best horn player ever.
Since the legendary recording of Mozart's concerti (that every serious horn's fan should own) you can hear how the technique and the musicianship in Dennis's playing are both wonderful.
Here we have something more to prove this (if it was necessary...)
The Villanelle is outstanding, as said. The finale is rushed so fast that is almost unbelievable. The only little complaint (?) is that if I remember, he first bars are written for "hand-horn" that means to be played without using the valves but using instead the right hand in the horn's bell to perform the notes that are otherwise not possible to obtain using the lips only.
Here it seems not to be the case, but as I said it's a very little remark.
But the piece I like the most is the Mozart's quintet, that is the most difficult and virtuoso piece for horn written by the great composer. Especially in the last movement the horn has to compete in technique and articulation with the first violin, but never forgetting the elegance and grace characteristics of Mozart's music.
The second movement is, for this point of view, exemplary; each phrase is played with extraordinary musicianship and beauty.
The Beethoven quintet is maybe better here than in the other recording with Walter Gieseking and the Philarmonia winds (another essential cd for Dennis's fans) and the Brahms's trio (a wonderful piece of music) shows as Dennis was perfectly suited even with a romantic piece like this (he was somehow "accused" to be without nerves...).
In conclusion, I think that after purchasing the Mozart's concerti, this should be your next horn's cd."