[.ca] Wind Concertos/Barenboim

From Amazon.com:
This is an enchanting record. It presents several unfamiliar but beautiful works by Richard Strauss, and it showcases the principal wind players of the Chicago Symphony, who, not surprisingly, are fabulous. Moreover, they have the benefit of an equally fabulous backup band, and the hornist even gets to play a piece with the conductor, Daniel Barenboim, at the piano. The program begins and ends with pieces Strauss wrote as a teenager, flanking two written late in his life. The former include an Andante for horn and piano--a love song reminiscent of Wagner--two dreamy, poetic piano pieces reminiscent of Liszt, and the popular first Horn Concerto, a bravura piece written for his horn-virtuoso father. Though Strauss was still finding his voice, this work no longer seems to lean on other composers and the orchestration is already masterful. The concerto is youthfully ardent and exuberant, its second movement very lyrical and a bit melancholy, the finale a brilliant hunting call. Like the other two, late concertos, it has three connected but strongly contrasting movements. The Duet-Concertino for clarinet and bassoon has an elusive quality, but the finale is delightful, the coda a Viennese waltz. The orchestration for strings and harp is rich and luscious, with several soloists who interact with the clarinet and bassoon. The highlight is the Oboe Concerto. Serene and romantic, it has an ecstatic, gorgeous slow movement; a brilliant, florid, rhapsodic solo part full of inventive cadenzas; and rich orchestration for a small orchestra. The neglect of this work is inexplicable. Both late pieces are so haunted by echoes of all Strauss's earlier symphonic poems and operas as to invite a game of "Name That Tune's First Cousin!" --Edith Eisler

Odd compilation, but stunningly performed:
I orignially purchased this CD to hear Alex Klein's rendition of the oboe concerto, but was simply delighted by the mastery given to every one of the pieces on this disc. Dale Clevenger's performance of the first horn concerto is outstaning. From the opening fanfare, he plays through it all with spirit, sensitivity, and beautiful phrasing--not letting us down in his stature as one of the most formidable American horn players in this half of the twentieth century. My one problem is that his tone is a bit thin, which may be simply a product of the American school of playing. Perhaps the hightlight of this album is the Duett-concertino for clarinet, bassoon and strings. Not only is it an absolutely charming piece, it is beautifully played by Combs and McGill, who weave in and out of each other with a luscious tone and gorgeously silky phrasing. As an oboist, Alex Klein has never failed to knock me backwards with his flying fingers, incredible breathing and unique musicality. This recording is simply frightening. The first movement is taken at its true "Allegro moderato" tempo, and the opening, restless fifty-seven bars are played entirely unflinchingly and absolutely beautifully...I don't know how he does it. The rest of the piece is played just as incredibly, and the last movement sparkles with gusto and virtuosity. All throughout the piece, Klein and the orchestra connect absolutely perfectly (listen to the clarinet in the first movement). I don't particularly like the selection of the Andante for horn and piano and the two piano pieces at the end...they just don't seem to go very well with the full orchestral pieces before them. Sill, they are very nicely played, particularly the Träumerei from the last set.

Captivating Concerto Masterpiece!:
From the opening Horn Concerto, this Straussian rendering of his wind compositions is simply put, exhilirating listening! I can't get enough of hearing it, and I propose that likely many of you music conisseurs will as well. Recorded by members of the famed Chicago Symphony, it is very well done. This collection features five compositions, his Horn Concerto No. 1 in E flat major and a second horn piece, this a Andante for Horn and Piano. As Strauss' father was a renown horn player himself and young Richard was made to accompany him at home much on the piano, that these pieces were of special import to him. Dale Clevenger provides the solo work here, done with richness of tone and gusto in phrasing. I become enchanted more with the Horn Concerto with each listening. A great opener to this strong CD. Next comes my favorite piece, even though I am partial to oboe numbers. This delightful Duet-Concertino for Clarinet and Bassoon is magnificently rendered by Larry Combs and David McGill. It bubbles and percolates with brilliant exhanges between the two instruments. Seductive and subtle, with magnificent light string accompanyment, this truly has become my favorite piece. The Oboe Concerto was inspired by a visiting American oboeist, John deLancie. Amazingly, deLancie of the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia Orchestras, only played this piece once, at Interlochen, Michigan with Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra. It is demanding for the oboeist, requiring 57 solid measures without rest. Strauss reputedly recommended a mechanical breathing device for this, however, contemporary oboeists insist on overcoming the breathing issue with circular breathing. Here Alex Klein proves his rating as one of tops in the world with a brilliant sinuous and lovely expression. The gentle Adante finish with its subdivision of beats results in a brilliant finish. A lover and collector of such Concertos, I am delighted to have discovered this one which has captivated my listening and will yours.

Amazing solo talent:
I originally bought this CD simply for Alex Klein's version of the Strauss Oboe concerto, but found everything else to also be superb. Klein's performance is the best that is out there. His sound is absoultely gorgeous and unparalled by anyone. Matching this sound with his technical mastery, smooth and singing phrases, as well as full dynamic range makes him simply the best oboist around. His interpretation of Strauss's concerto is absolutely breath-taking. I can listen to it over and over again. The Horn concerto is brilliantly done by Clevenger. His sound rings brilliantly true with the spirit of the instrument. A radiant interpretation of this jubilant concerto. Combs, McGill, and Barenboim also do excellent work on this CD; however these are the pieces that I listen to less. Nonetheless, their talent shines through and make for stunning performances. This CD is a prime example of the wealth of talent that the CSO has. Truly a must own CD.

A delightful disc!:
Daniel Barenboim once again proves he is a true Straussian with this new collection of wind concertos. And it's a pleasure to hear the legendary Chicago Symphony horn player Dale Clevenger perform Strauss's first horn concerto, written when he was only twenty. I'm slightly disappointed that the second horn concerto was not included, because the coupling seems mandatory, and this disc could then be more easily compared with Dennis Brain's great versions. However, the extra space on the CD is wonderfully filled up with the oboe concerto and a fine little work for winds, strings and harp. Daniel Barenboim accompanies Clevenger on piano in a short Andante, then plays two very early solo piano works that display his thoughtful yet sweet touch. What is most striking about this disc is how Mozartian the composer of "Elektra" and "Also Sprach Zarathustra" was. When he was young, Strauss was still in the Brahms "camp"-- largely because of his father's influence. So it's no surprise that chamber music came so easily to him, especially since the older Strauss was a tremendous horn player in the Munich orchestra. Richard's love for Franz's instrument never left him, even after he was won over by the Wagnerites. This is evident from the later works included here, written in the 1940s when Strauss was alienated from the big orchestras and opera houses by a Nazi regime that didn't trust him. Yet everywhere in these works, whether they were penned by the young Strauss or the old, there is that melodious sensitivity that never fails to delight.

A Spellbinding Recording Of Strauss' Lesser Known Wind Works:
This is indeed an enchanting recording, showing a Classical side of Richard Strauss little known to most lovers of classical music. And these elegant pieces offer further proof that Barenboim is among our finest interpreters of Strauss' music; either at the podium or at the keyboard. Dale Clevenger, the principal of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's horn section gives a brilliant, lyrical performance of the 1st Horn Concerto that easily conjurs up magnificient performances from the likes of Baumann and Brain. It is indeed a pity that the 2nd Horn Concerto wasn't recorded; instead we hear a great performance of the Oboe Concerto, with the Chicago Sympphony Orchestra's Principal Oboeist Alex Klein that is ravishingly beautiful. Once more Teldec engineers have produced a recording of highest sound quality. It should be regarded as yet another artistic triumph for Daniel Barenboim and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

• Horn Concerto No. 1 in E flat Major, Op. 11
• Duett-Concertino for clarinet and bassoon, strings and harp in F major, AV 147
• Concerto for Oboe and Small Orchestra in D major, AV 144
• Andante for Horn and Piano in C major, AV 86A
• Stimmungsbilder Op. 9 or Piano No. 2 An Einamer Quelle
• Stimmungsbilder Op. 9 or Piano No. 4 Traumerei