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Lebrun: Oboe Concertos
Brilliant Classics

Lebrun: Oboe Concertos

$13.99

Details

Composer
Ludwig August Lebrun
Artist
Nancy Ambrose King
Format
CD
Label
Brilliant Classics
Released
Jan 19, 2024
Catalog #
BRI97009
UPC
5028421970097

About

Classical-era oboe concertos, full of flourish and elegantly turned melodies in polished and critically praised recordings from 2000-2. ‘This repertoire certainly deserves your attention,’ wrote the Fanfare reviewer when this album was first issued, ‘for it is an excellent alternative - even a potent supplement - to the Mozart oboe concerto.’ He went on to praise the ‘fine tone’ and ‘impressive technique’ of the soloist, American oboist Nancy Ambrose King. The Janácek Philharmonic play with ‘verve, fine drama, and an excellent sense of unity from beginning to end,’ conducted by Jeremy Swerling who ‘keeps a nice grip on the proceedings, but also allows some flexibility in the way things are done.’ As to the repertoire itself: Ludwig August Lebrun (1752-1790) was an oboist by training, and the son of an oboist at the Mannheim court, Alexander Lebrun. Ludwig evidently wrote these concertos, and another 10 in the same vein, in order to showcase his own abilities on an instrument which was evolving rapidly in terms of technical innovation (projecting further, with more reliable tone) and thus allowing for greater virtuosity on behalf of both composers and performers.
There are four concertos here, and they all adhere to the standard three-movement form and belong to the idiom of the Mannheim school exemplified by exemplified by the likes of Danzi (whose daughter Lebrun married) and Cannabich. There are delicate melodies as well as spectacular virtuosity in music filled with imagination, humour, and depth, not to mention the occasional unexpected turn of phrase. These are not miniature or insignificant pieces. The opening G minor piece is developed with the kind of pathos we associate with the key in the hands of Mozart, and after two F major concertos, the album concludes with a poignant and stern D minor concerto, punctuated by trumpet and drums, and enclosing a noble Grazioso slow movement where the oboe sings like an abandoned operatic heroine.

Tracklist 12 tracks

  1. 1 I. Allegro 07:46
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Allegro
    Duration
    07:46
    Composer
    Ludwig August Lebrun
    Performer
    Nancy Ambrose King
    Ensemble
    Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Jeremy Swerling
  2. 2 II. Adagio 05:28
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Adagio
    Duration
    05:28
    Composer
    Ludwig August Lebrun
    Performer
    Nancy Ambrose King
    Ensemble
    Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Jeremy Swerling
  3. 3 III. Rondo allegro 06:50
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Rondo allegro
    Duration
    06:50
    Composer
    Ludwig August Lebrun
    Performer
    Nancy Ambrose King
    Ensemble
    Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Jeremy Swerling
  4. 4 I. Allegro 09:15
    Track
    4
    Title
    I. Allegro
    Duration
    09:15
    Composer
    Ludwig August Lebrun
    Performer
    Nancy Ambrose King
    Ensemble
    Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Jeremy Swerling
  5. 5 II. Adagio 04:44
    Track
    5
    Title
    II. Adagio
    Duration
    04:44
    Composer
    Ludwig August Lebrun
    Performer
    Nancy Ambrose King
    Ensemble
    Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Jeremy Swerling
  6. 6 III. Rondeau: Allegretto 05:11
    Track
    6
    Title
    III. Rondeau: Allegretto
    Duration
    05:11
    Composer
    Ludwig August Lebrun
    Performer
    Nancy Ambrose King
    Ensemble
    Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Jeremy Swerling
  7. 7 I. Allegro 08:22
    Track
    7
    Title
    I. Allegro
    Duration
    08:22
    Composer
    Ludwig August Lebrun
    Performer
    Nancy Ambrose King
    Ensemble
    Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Jeremy Swerling
  8. 8 II. Adagio 01:23
    Track
    8
    Title
    II. Adagio
    Duration
    01:23
    Composer
    Ludwig August Lebrun
    Performer
    Nancy Ambrose King
    Ensemble
    Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Jeremy Swerling
  9. 9 III. Rondo 04:19
    Track
    9
    Title
    III. Rondo
    Duration
    04:19
    Composer
    Ludwig August Lebrun
    Performer
    Nancy Ambrose King
    Ensemble
    Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Jeremy Swerling
  10. 10 I. Allegro 08:43
    Track
    10
    Title
    I. Allegro
    Duration
    08:43
    Composer
    Ludwig August Lebrun
    Performer
    Nancy Ambrose King
    Ensemble
    Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Jeremy Swerling
  11. 11 II. Grazioso 05:15
    Track
    11
    Title
    II. Grazioso
    Duration
    05:15
    Composer
    Ludwig August Lebrun
    Performer
    Nancy Ambrose King
    Ensemble
    Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Jeremy Swerling
  12. 12 III. Allegro 05:52
    Track
    12
    Title
    III. Allegro
    Duration
    05:52
    Composer
    Ludwig August Lebrun
    Performer
    Nancy Ambrose King
    Ensemble
    Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Jeremy Swerling