The Romantic Horn

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[The Beethoven] receives a delightfully engaging performance here, offsetting Watkins’s opulent warmth against Julius Drake’s sparkling pianism, with passing moments of earthy good humour embraced... — BBC Music Magazine, May 2019, 4 out of 5 stars (Performance) / 5 out of 5 stars (Recording) More…

Release Date: 8th Mar 2019
Catalogue No: SIGCD556
Label: Signum
Length: 64 minutes

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Beethoven: Horn Sonata in F major, Op. 17

Work length16:08

$3.50

$4.90

$6.10

Richard Watkins, Julius Drake

I. Allegro

Track length9:05

$1.50

$2.10

$2.60

II. Poco Adagio

Track length1:33

$1.00

$1.40

$1.75

III. Rondo

Track length5:30

$1.00

$1.40

$1.75

Strauss, F: Nocturno, Op. 7

Work length5:53

$1.00

$1.40

$1.75

Richard Watkins, Julius Drake

Strauss, R: Andante, Op. Posth

Work length4:41

$1.00

$1.40

$1.75

Richard Watkins, Julius Drake

Schumann: Adagio and Allegro in A flat major, Op. 70

Work length9:25

$1.50

$2.10

$2.60

Richard Watkins, Julius Drake

Glazunov: Reverie, Op. 24

Work length3:42

$1.00

$1.40

$1.75

Richard Watkins, Julius Drake

Scriabin: Romance

Work length2:07

$1.00

$1.40

$1.75

Richard Watkins, Julius Drake

Dukas: Villanelle

Work length6:47

$1.00

$1.40

$1.75

Richard Watkins, Julius Drake

Poulenc: Elégie for horn and piano, Op. 168

Work length9:36

$1.50

$2.10

$2.60

Richard Watkins, Julius Drake

Vinter: Hunter's Moon

Work length6:36

$1.00

$1.40

$1.75

Richard Watkins, Julius Drake

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Interview, Richard Watkins on The Romantic Horn

14th March 2019

The British horn-player talks to David about his new album of music by Beethoven, Strauss, Schumann, Scriabin and more with the pianist Julius Drake, out now on Signum Classics.

This recording presents a selection of some of the most well-loved works for the horn. Titled The Romantic Horn, the works highlight the lyrical gems of the European repertoire for the instrument, with works by Beethoven, Schumann and Scriabin.

Richard Watkins is one of the most sought-after horn players of his generation. He was Principal Horn of the Philharmonia Orchestra for twelve years, is currently a member of The Nash Ensemble, and is a founding member of London Winds. His extensive discography includes recordings of concertos by Mozart, Malcolm Arnold, Reinhold Glière, Ethel Smyth and Colin Matthews, as well as Mozart’s Sinfonia concertante and chamber music for horn by Schumann, Schubert and Poulenc.

Pianist Julius Drake lives in London and specialises in chamber music, working with many of the world’s leading artists, both in recital and in the recording studio. He performs regularly across the globe, in venues that include include Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, Berlin’s Philharmonie, and New York’s Carnegie Hall; and festivals such as the BBC Proms and Salzburg Music Festival.

Reviews

May 2019

[The Beethoven] receives a delightfully engaging performance here, offsetting Watkins’s opulent warmth against Julius Drake’s sparkling pianism, with passing moments of earthy good humour embraced with alacrity…One senses a special point of emotional contact with two glorious Russian miniatures: Glazunov’s Rêverie and Scriabin’s early Romance.

April 2019

This is grand, swaggering playing: two virtuosos out to bring the house down…It’s not what you would call a historically informed reading [of the Beethoven], exactly, but it’s undeniably impressive…A bravura account of Gilbert Vintner’s Hunter’s Moon ends the disc with a flourish and leaves an unmistakeable impression that these two distinguished players are certainly having a lot of fun.

3rd March 2019

Watkins’s rich, singing tone is complemented by Drake’s lively pianism and they luxuriate especially in the two most substantial “encores”: Schumann’s superb Adagio and Allegro, and Poulenc’s dark, soulful Elégie.

Classical Music March 2019

The father and son Strausses here offer a fascinating comparison, although it is possibly a step too far for Watkins’ booklet claim that Franz, with regards to Richard, is an ‘equally capable composer’. Franz Strauss’ Notturno, Op 7 rises to an impassioned climax; if it has enigmas, they are multiplied exponentially in Richard Strauss’ Andante. Schumann’s famous Adagio and Allegro is the finest performance here, the top C shining, the dynamism undeniable. If Drake is a touch underpowered in Dukas’ Villanelle, the Poulenc Elégie is a fine account. An enjoyable recital, well recorded.

The Romantic Horn

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Interview, Richard Watkins on The Romantic Horn

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