Album Title: Mozart Concerti for Clarinet and Horn
Performers: Gervase de Peyer, clarinet; Barry Tuckwell, horn; Peter Maag and the London Symphony Orchestra
Label: Speakers Corner Decca SXL 2238
Recorded:Nov. 1959, Kingsway Hall, London


Some reviews need not be long. This is one of those. In the late 50s, Decca was at the very top of their recording art, the summit which I judge pretty much any modern recording against. Add to that lofty status two of the most talented soloists of the past century, the LSO and Peter Maag with some of Mozart’s most famous and easily enjoyable concerti and you arrive at an all-star cast and performance.


You can’t do much better. Actually, I don’t know that I could name anybody who has done better. What else can I say?



This is one of the most Mozartean recordings I know of, full of finesse and refinement as well as pep and liveliness. Instrument tonal colors are spectacular in the orchestra as well as with the soloists. It has little dashes of color just pop up light bursting flowers all over the broad and deep soundstage. It is not demanding music at least for the listener—the soloists surely would I have a very different opinion—and it is played to be fully enjoyable. That’s what on this disc, bliss pure and simple. I could waste your time with lengthy comparisons to other versions I own but why? This is the one for posterity and Speakers Corner brings it back to us in absolutely pristine condition. The only thing you must ask yourself is how come you don’t have it in your collection yet. Really.