Strauss & Mozart: Horn Concertos

Dennis Brain, born into a musical dynasty of horn players, is celebrated as one of the greatest hornists of all time. His career, though tragically brief, left an indelible mark on the world of classical music. Brain's journey began at the Royal Academy of Music in London, and his talents were further honed during his service in the Royal Air Force's band and orchestra during World War II. Post-war, he served as the principal horn for both the Philharmonia and Royal Philharmonic orchestras, and his contributions to chamber music are equally renowned.

Brain's playing was characterized by a warm, serene nature and a sound that was often described as balm to the ears. He was instrumental in elevating the horn from obscurity, switching to a more robust German horn in the early 1950s to enhance his rich, radiant tone. His untimely death in a car accident in 1957 at the age of 36 cut short a career that was just reaching its zenith, leaving a void in the musical world that has never been fully filled.