Where Next for Corno not Corona

2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of one of the most eminent horn players of all time: Dennis Brain.

Celebrating Brain’s life and legacy I’m planning to film seven key works from the history of our instrument. All seven works are closely associated with Brain and, with the exception of the Poulenc Elegie (written in memory of Brain) were frequently performed by Brain.

These seven videos will continue the work I’ve done over the last few months - connecting a performance of the work with a complimentary video in which I talk about the background to the work and my performance.

The pieces I have chosen are:

• 1786 Mozart Horn Concerto K. 495 - possibly using an instrument from the Bate Collection

• 1800 Beethoven Sonata - performed on my my 1810 Lucien Joseph Raoux instrument, linking both to Brain’s 1818 Raoux as well as his film of this work.

• 1849 Schumann Adagio und Allegro - using my mid 19th century Uhlmann

• 1890 Glazunov Reverie - using a 1893 Zimmermann

• 1906 Dukas Villanelle - using my M.A. Raoux piston horn, previously owned by the conductor Norman del Mar who was for many years second horn to Brain.

• 1939 Hindemith Sonata - using the RAM Brain Alexander 90.

• 1958 Poulenc Elegie - using my Selmer which connects to Brain’s contemporary Lucien Thêvet who recorded this piece with Poulenc.