The British horn player Alan Civil makes a lithe and pleasing soloist in his performances of the Mozart concertos with Neville Marriner and the ASMF, in recordings made in 1971. The filler, Neil Black’s equally attractive and accomplished performance of the oboe concerto, was made a year later. Both artists contribute cadenzas of their own, and the orchestral support from Marriner and his team leaves almost nothing to be desired. Civil was an agile player; his excellent control and warm tone ensures that these are always generous and engaging readings. The “hunting” rondo finales especially have great spirit and flair, but the accompaniments also are carefully modulated in the delicate and reflective slow movements, allowing Civil considerable expressive freedom. You’re unlikely to hear much better performances than these, especially at the price, but one especially fine and very superior budget offering from Michael Thompson (who also directs the Bournemouth Sinfonietta) on Naxos is well worth considering if you need Mozart’s complete horn works (including fragments and reconstructions) on one CD.
