Dominik Wollenweber The Art of English Horn – CD

The programme features Johann Sebastian Bachs Concerto in G major for English horn, strings and basso continuo, based on the Easter Oratorio BWV 249; Antonn Dvoks Largo from Symphony No. 9 in E minor, From the New World, Op. 95; Franz Schuberts Impromptu No. 3 in G-flat major, Op. 90; Jean Sibeliuss The Swan of Tuonela, a symphonic poem from the Lemminkinen Suite, Op. 22; Jean Franaixs Quartet for English horn, violin, viola and cello; and Richard Wagners Hirtenreigen auf einer Schalmei from Tristan und Isolde. Dominik Wollenweber plays the English horn with the Berlin Philharmonic conducted by Sir Simon Rattle, the Collegium of the Berlin Philharmonic, and pianist Anna Kirichenko. The English horn needs a soft, round vibrato … We are among those who make people cry, says Wollenweber of his instrument. Behind his modest manner and lack of celebratory articles and glossy photographs stands one of the finest English horn players; Claudio Abbado went even further, calling him the best player of all time. Wollenweber has been a member of the Berlin Philharmonic since 1993. On this recording, the orchestra and Sir Simon Rattle accompany him in Sibeliuss beautiful symphonic poem The Swan of Tuonela, while members of the Berlin Philharmonic join him throughout the album. It is difficult to imagine an album devoted to the English horn without the Largo from Dvoks New World Symphony or the solo from Wagners Tristan und Isolde. Bachs concerto and Schuberts Impromptu may come as a surprise, while Jean Franaixs Quartet simply lifts the spirits. For listeners who love the English horns unique, dark velvet tone, otherwise heard more like a flash of a jewel amid the large canvases of symphonic works, this is an opportunity to discover its beauty, while those who have not yet encountered the instrument will find an ideal introduction. An irresistibly beautiful tone, with the English horn in the hands of a master.