Review to our Mozart recording in the Horn Call

W. A. Mozart: The Horn Concertos. Javier Bonet, horn;

München Rundfunkorkester, Hermann Baumann. ARSIS

5452

Mozart: Horn Quintet K. 407 (386c); Rondeau in Eb Major

K. 371; Horn Concerto in D major K. 412 (386b); Horn Concerto

in Eb major K. 417; Horn Concerto in Eb major K. 447; Horn

Concerto in Eb major K. 495; Horn Concerto in E major K. 494a

(fragment).

Javier Bonet, internationally acclaimed natural horn soloist, has once again produced beautiful recording, remarkable both for the extraordinary interpretations of the Mozart Horn Concertos and for the forward-thinking packaging and video ad-ons.

Rather than a physical CD, this recording comes on a tiny flash drive that plugs into the USB port on your computer. When you open the flash drive icon, you are offered all of the tracks as wav or mp3 files. Additionally are an mp4 video describing the project, pdf files of all of the liner notes and other various content, a folder with pdfs of Javier Bonet’s cadenzas, a folder with pdfs of Mozart’s original manuscript scores, an mp4 video gallery, an mp4 video of a live performance of the Concert

Rondo, and an utterly charming montage and interview with Hermann Baumann. Engelbert Schmid makes a few cameos, as well. There is so much fantastic content in this small package that truly every horn player should have a copy. In his opening dedication, Bonet describes how he finally felt that he had reached the right time in his career and achieved the musical maturity to make a meaningful recording of the Mozart horn concertos. Bonet definitely delivers with his masterful natural horn rendition of all of the horn concertos (including the K 494a fragment) and the quintet for horn

and strings. The music feels profound yet joyful – exuberant without loss of control.

In short, Bonet is a seasoned master, reaching the heart of the beauty of Mozart with his breathtaking, soulful performance.

LVD

Horn Call. October 2015