My Master hasn’t been feeling well lately, probably because he’s tired from the never-ending summer. “It should not be hard as Shiba Dog with fur all over its body!” I thought to myself, but I also couldn’t get through this summer without an air conditioner and a fan.
I want my Mater to get well soon, so today I’m going to pick a music that’s full of energy and healing. Let’s gently place this record on my Master’s record player.
Players and recording
Conductor: Hartmut Haenchen
Orchestra: Kammerorchester C.Ph.E.Bach der Deutschen Staatsoper Berlin
Recording engineer：Heinrich Eras
Date：1981（No specific date, Peter Damm 44 years old）
Venue：Christuskirche, Berlin
This is a rare recording in which he co-stars with members who are not members of the Dresden Staatskapelle, and was recorded in Berlin. The conductor is Hartmut Henchen. Do you know? I’m not very familiar with him, so I looked it up and found out that he’s a conductor born in Dresden, who is an expert on the music of Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach.
This recording is also accompanied by the C.Ph. Emanuel Bach Chamber Orchestra. There are quite a lot of CDs by this conductor, but Peter Damm’s album is at the top of the list. Probably his first recording was with Peter Damm.
My favorite
According to Mr.F who supports this blog, the title “Vorklassik” means “pre-classical” and is “a period of time during which there was a transition from baroque to classical.” . This LP record contains works composed byTelemann and Förster, etc.
Peter Damm excavates little-known works, breathes life into them with his own performances, and energetically records them. Yes, he is like Mendelssohn who rediscovered Bach. Haydn’s horn concerto, which we will introduce here, is famous, but difficult to play.
My Master is not good at playing high notes, so he gave up on this work early on.
My Master, don’t give up so easily！
Are you trying to cheer him up or …💦
1st movement
Following a lively introduction by orchestra , Peter Damm plays the theme, running up the D major dispersed chords one by one. Other players often just start playing cheerfully, but Peter Damm begins with a mezzo forte as if to surprise us. He seems to be pursuing how to sing elegantly, not with power. He also has a great sense of rhythm, as if dancing an elegant dance.
2nd movement
I didn’t listen to Haydn’s music much when I was young, but as I grow older I wonder if I’ll be able to appreciate Haydn’s goodness more and more.
The second movement of this “Horn Concerto No. 1” seems to get better every time I listen to it. After long introduction ends, Peter Damm start playing a melody that begins with a beautiful long tone. I really want you to listen to this beginning. He sings the note that is simply stretched out, with a gentle vibrato added little by little.
I don’t think there’s anyone who won’t be healed by listening to this long tone. It’s my favorite sound.
3rd movement
The third movement is lively and good contrast from the second movement. The first movement cheers you up, the second movement heals you, and this third movement completely restores you. This is the reason why this recording is the best when you are feeling down. I’m glad that every movement includes Peter Damm’s cadenza.
How is my Master now ?
Now, he is OK ! He is dancing with Haydn !
【Column】 Vibrato
”Why does Peter Damm use vibrato even though he is a horn player? ” is often asked. It’s a very deep theme. Only he himself knows the answer, but I think there is a clue at the beginning of the second movement of Haydn’s horn concerto.
I think the reason is simply that it is the most suitable for singing that first note beautifully. Conversely, it may be interesting to consider why horn players in the old Western world came to avoid vibrato.
There is something in common between the beginning of the second movement introduced this time and the beginning of Kathleen Battle’s “Ombra mai fu,” which was aired in a commercial in Japan long ago, so please compare it. It is clear that both Peter Damm and Battle are excellent singers who perform with beautiful voices.
