Eric Ruske selects works from the high points of the romantic era (at least as far as horn music goes) and delivers the goods with taste, authority, passion, and impeccable musicianship. Ruske effectively projects the youthful bravura of Richard Strauss’ Horn Concerto No. 1, a work that follows in the tradition of his father Franz’s Schumannesque Concerto in C. Of course, the son already was passive-aggressively rebelling against the father with his penchant for shoving “wrong” notes into his otherwise standard chords and melodic progressions–a practice Strauss would continue throughout his compositional career. The late Concerto No. 2 shows a distinct mellowing (where Ruske produces some beautifully burnished tone), it’s overtly Wagnerian slow movement constituting a decided look backward.
Gliere’s B-flat Concerto doesn’t reach for the lush opulence of his Ilya Muromets Symphony, but it falls within the standard romantic idiom, albeit with a decidedly Russian bent. Again Ruske’s polished and emotive playing nicely captures the mood and character of the music. He receives first-rate support from Michael Stern and the IRIS Chamber Orchestra. Albany’s recording tends toward brightness, but otherwise has good presence and impact. A choice disc for the insatiable horn-enthusiast.
