This remarkable collection drawn from Universal’s back catalog makes an intelligent and affectionate tribute to as fine a collection of principal wind and brass players as ever have graced a modern symphony orchestra. Every performance is distinguished, and if some have been bettered elsewhere (in particular, Arnold Jacobs’ Vaughan Williams Tuba Concerto, which doesn’t efface John Fletcher’s with the LSO under Previn), the vast majority of them have not, and easily withstand comparison to the best. Outstanding renditions include Adolph “Bud” Herseth’s Haydn Trumpet Concerto (with surprisingly lively backing from Abbado), Dale Clevenger’s Mozart Horn Concerto No. 3, and his extremely distinguished Britten Serenade with Robert Tear and Giulini, and Ray Still’s Mozart Oboe Concerto.
Willard Elliot’s bassoon playing makes the most of (let’s face it) uninteresting music, but best of all is the CD premiere of Barenboim’s extraordinary Schumann Konzertstück for Four Horns, easily the best version currently available and one of the most remarkable (and best sounding) recordings of massed horns ever made. The conclusion, a decent Ravel Boléro under Solti makes a fine encore, with just about everyone getting a chance to show off and take a final bow. The attractive accompanying booklet and classy packaging complete a production as appealing to the eye as it is to the ear. DG deserves all credit for assembling this extremely intelligent and musically distinguished release. [5/17/2003]
