I recall a very enjoyable Philadelphia Orchestra LP with a similar collection of first chair players to this one, except that it wasn’t limited to Mozart works. All four of these musicians are the principle players in each of their sections of the big Concertgebouw Orchestra and their interpretive skills are extremely high. I’m so used to hearing all four Mozart horn concertos at one sitting that it was a bit of a wrench to hear the switch to a flute concerto at the conclusion of the horn concerto No. 1. This concerto lacks the useful three fast/slow/fast movements of the other horn concertos – the middle movement appears to have been lost. As with the others it does have strong vocal quality in the solo part, which is beautifully communicated both by hornist Slagter and the clean hi-res recording made in an Amsterdam church.
Hard to believe Mozart when he told his father he hated the flute more than any other instrument. His flute concerto is a glorious work of many contrasting moods. The extremely virtuoso high notes in the first movement of the bassoon concerto are handled perfectly by Nunez. The Oboe Concerto is infrequently heard and deserves more attention. All four concertos make a fine program, illustrating the unending imagination and creativity Mozart could so easily summon up.
– John Sunier
