Do you like the Berlin Philharmonic of yore?

 

Then this will be a recording for you.

Mozart's Horn Quintet is absolutely divine. It is melodic, it is soulful, and has plenty of charm to boot.

I am sure this is aided by the presence of Gerd Seifert on the horn, whose treading of Mozart's Horn Concertos (BLOG) are also top tier performances.

Here, Seifert and the Brandis Quartet are gentle, graceful, and in no particularly hurry in its middle movement. Conversely, they provide necessary spirit to the outer movements.

Much of the same description could be given to the Clarinet Quintet with Karl Leister on that woodwind instrument. Being a much later work from the pen of Mozart, the writing between wind player and the string quartet is striking, allowing each instrument their time to shine, amidst plenty of interactions between each player.

The bonus of the Clarinet Quintet is its fourth movement of variations. This is where the previous description of spotlights and interactions are given full bloom in the hands of Mozart, where it could really be a work unto itself. Really something special from the composer, given full due by Leister and Co.

The deficit of this recording comes with Lothar Koch's leading of the Oboe Quartet. He is simply too stodgy and poky, allowing no flow nor smiles to come from the F Major setting.

This is most apparent in the third movement, where Koch stands still at the opening. Only when the Brandis Quartet are allowed time to themselves sans soloist, can you hear them take off with joy, only to be held back again by Koch when he enters next. Unfortunate, especially since Lothar Koch's oboe in Berlin was the first to make me appreciate the possibilities of that instrument, with a lovely, piping, sweet tone.

Each of the wind players here were principal players from Karajan's years with the Berlin Philharmonic. Thus, they all exhibit a beautiful warm tone and a bright eye in the music of Mozart. I would happily call these Horn and Clarinet Quintet performances essential listening, regardless of one's feeling of Karajan's Berlin years.

Each member of the Brandis Quartet also come from the Berlin Philharmonic. Led by Thomas Brandis, they have an edgy, wiry timbre, which actually works rather well against the woodsy tones of the clarinet and horn especially. The nasal oboe quality matches their ensemble sound more closely. All in all, a great recording.

 

Listen on YouTube

 

 

 

 

Works
Oboe Quartet in F Major, K. 370 (18.04)
Horn Quintet in E-flat Major, K. 407 (16.55)
Clarinet Quintet in A Major, K. 581 (32.34)

Soloists
Karl Leister, clarinet
Lothar Koch, oboe
Gerd Seifert, horn

Performers
Brandis Quartet
  Thomas Brandis, violin
  Peter Brem, violin
  Wilfried Strehle, viola
  Wolfgang Boettcher, cello

Label: Nimbus
Year: 1996
Total Timing: 66.57

 

 

 

 

The only problem with this recording is it is saddled with an overly lugubrious Oboe Quintet. Even then, one can't fault the playing from anyone here, including Lothar Koch.

Otherwise, each principal player from the Berlin Philharmonic retain wonderful tone on their instruments and offer beauty and smiles a-plenty in these chamber works.

The Brandis Quartet offers sprightly visions of Mozart, making for a wonderful collaboration of these former Berlin instrumentalists.

 

 

 

 

Find more Mozart recordings HERE!