Dennis Brain - Strauss, Hindemith: Horn Concertos (2002) CD-Rip

This CD from EMI features Dennis Brain, in my opinion the greatest horn player who ever lived. In his tragically brief life Brain recorded the definitive versions of numerous works, and although his Mozart horn concertos are my favorites, his treatment of Strauss is a close runner up.

Despite these recordings being from the mid-1950s, the musicianship of Brain still makes these the best available. While I like Strauss, I find Hindemith a bit derivative and monotonous, although with Brain's treatment still a delight.

These recordings are crisp and sonically well defined, despite the Strauss concertos having been recorded in mono. I am grateful to EMI for releasing these recordings on a single disc at a reasonable price. Horn lovers everywhere will relish in these recordings. I highly recommend this CD.