Hello, I’m Kuuta. On this page, I have carefully selected the performances that I absolutely want you to listen — chosen from among the many recordings of my favourite horn player, Peter Damm. Wherever possible I have included links to YouTube recordings, so you can listen to the music as you read.
From the brilliant solos of concertos to performances brimming with that unmistakable “Damm flavour” within the orchestra, I have put together a brief summary of the highlights for each article. Click on whichever piece catches your eye.
- 【No.1】Master Work of Peter Damm – Mozart Concert for flute and harp C-dur KV.299
Introducing a hidden gem from Peter Damm, the god of the horn. In Mozart’s Concerto for Flute and Harp conducted by Otmar Suitner and the Staatskapelle Dresden, Damm’s unmistakable vibrato and gift for singing burst forth — even from the accompaniment. - 【No.2】Master Work of Peter Damm – Humperdinck “Hänsel und Gretel”According to Peter Damm’s own biographical notes, he performed Humperdinck’s opera Hänsel und Gretel at Christmas when he was sixteen years old. In Germany, it is a long-standing tradition for families with children to attend a full staging of this opera at the theatre during the Christmas season. It is natural to assume, therefore, that… Read more: 【No.2】Master Work of Peter Damm – Humperdinck “Hänsel und Gretel”
- 【No.3】Master Works by Peter Damm – Schubert “Auf dem Strom ” D.943I have 2 reasons to select this recording. The first is that I recently knew that Peter Schreier passed away on Christmas in 2019. My sincere condolences to Peter Schreier, my favorite tenor among all the singers. The second reason is that it get difficult to buy this recording in Japan. It is pity… Read more: 【No.3】Master Works by Peter Damm – Schubert “Auf dem Strom ” D.943
- 【No.4】Master Works of Peter Damm – Dukas “Villanelle”This is 4th posting. In Japan, if you give up something after 3 times try, you will be called “3 days monk “. To be honest, my Master is typical “3 days monk” but I don’t want to give up this series, even though I got big influence from my Master. However, this series… Read more: 【No.4】Master Works of Peter Damm – Dukas “Villanelle”
- 【No.5】Master Works of Peter Damm – Weber “Der Freischütz”Peter Damm clearly answered to a Japanese interview that his main profession is not solo player but orchestra horn player. Orchestra players need to fulfill conductor’s requirement by 100%. It is quite interesting that difference of playing style shows difference of conductor’s demand on Peter Damm. I selected Carlos Kleiber, who is known as the… Read more: 【No.5】Master Works of Peter Damm – Weber “Der Freischütz”
- 【No.6】Master Works of Peter Damm – Brahms Piano Concert No.2 B-dur Op.83One night, my Master returned home showing full smile on his face. It seemed he had a very happy event. I carefully listened to conversation between my Master and his wife inside the door. Master said, ” I finally encountered big Peter Damm fan in Tokyo. ” My master get acquaintance with Mr.K who… Read more: 【No.6】Master Works of Peter Damm – Brahms Piano Concert No.2 B-dur Op.83
- 【No.7】Master Works of Peter Damm – Richard Strauss “Die Schweigsame Frau”
Rainy season has come to Japan. It is very tough for a dog like me because I can not go for a walk. I need to look at bright side and keep posting this blog. Finally, I talk about Richard Strauss. The reason why I used “finally” is that Richard Strauss is special composer for… Read more: 【No.7】Master Works of Peter Damm – Richard Strauss “Die Schweigsame Frau” - 【No.8】Master Works of Peter Damm – Schubert Symphony “Unfinished” D.759In Japanese, pronunciation of “Dam” and “Damm” is the same. This makes me confused, because I have never seen a Dam because I am a house dog. When I watch TV, a school student who has visited more than 600 dams in Japan, proudly shouted “I love Dam activity !” Nein, Nein ! Damm… Read more: 【No.8】Master Works of Peter Damm – Schubert Symphony “Unfinished” D.759
- 【No.9】 Master Works of Peter Damm – Brahms Symphony No.2 D-dur Op.73Hot and humid summer has come to Japan much earlier than usual! It is very tough season for a dog like me. I need to adjust my body to hot temperature. Japanese people believe eating hot food in the summer help them to stay healthy. I think hot music like Brahms’s symphony would work… Read more: 【No.9】 Master Works of Peter Damm – Brahms Symphony No.2 D-dur Op.73
- 【No.10】 Master Works of Peter Damm – Mozart Horn KonzerteThis is the 10th and final article. Taking this honorable opportunity, I would like to pick up an LP which my Master introduced at No.1 Article in this blog. This is the LP which my Master bought when he was 14 years old, though he lost the original LP during “CD age”. He bought… Read more: 【No.10】 Master Works of Peter Damm – Mozart Horn Konzerte
- Season 2【No.1】The Art of Peter Damm – Richard Wagner, 2 prelude from “Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg”One day, my Master was crying in front of his computer. When I looked over my shoulder, I found a message of encouragement for this blog from Prof. Peter Damm himself, and he was moved to tears. I wanted to say, “No! I’m the one writing this!” but I’ll just stay quiet and let… Read more: Season 2【No.1】The Art of Peter Damm – Richard Wagner, 2 prelude from “Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg”
- Hydn (Under construction)My owner seems to be worn out by this seemingly endless summer — he’s been out of sorts lately. “How soft, coming from a Shiba Inu covered head-to-toe in fur!” I think to myself, though I have to admit, even I couldn’t get through this summer without the air conditioning and a fan. Kuuta Japanese… Read more: Hydn (Under construction)
- Season 2【No.3】The Art of Peter Damm/ Brahms Symphony No.3, 2nd movementAutumn has arrived, when Shiba dogs like me feel comfortable going for walks and taking naps outside. Autumn suits Shiba dogs and Brahms best. My Master is happily listening to used records, saying things like, “It’s Abbado and Peter Damm co-starring!” Today, I’d like to introduce Peter Damm’s famous performance from the record that… Read more: Season 2【No.3】The Art of Peter Damm/ Brahms Symphony No.3, 2nd movement
- Season 2【No.4 】 The Art of Peter Damm / Gustav Mahler ”Kindertotenlieder”Autumn is deepening. Winter is right behind autumn, as if to warn us not to wait too long. During this season, My Master often looks a little lonely. This is probably because his mother passed away around this time about two years ago. Losing one’s immediate family seems to be one of the most… Read more: Season 2【No.4 】 The Art of Peter Damm / Gustav Mahler ”Kindertotenlieder”
- Season 2【No.5】The Art of Peter Damm / Richard Strauss “Ein Heldenleben” Op.40Most of the recordings I have introduced so far were recorded at a place called “Lukas Church” in Dresden. Ten years ago, my Master had an honor to meet Prof.Peter Damm himself at this church. This church is no longer used for recording, but as a commemoration of the many historical recordings that were… Read more: Season 2【No.5】The Art of Peter Damm / Richard Strauss “Ein Heldenleben” Op.40
- Season 2- No.6 Art of Peter Damm – Richard Strauss “Moonlight Music” from “Capriccio”Until recently, there was a recording that was called “Peter Damm’s legendary but mysterious performance” because it was not recorded on CD. That is Strauss’s “Moonlight Music” that I will be introducing today. At a time when records were still hard to come by, My Master searched for used records domestically but couldn’t find… Read more: Season 2- No.6 Art of Peter Damm – Richard Strauss “Moonlight Music” from “Capriccio”
- Season 2 – No.7 Art of Peter Damm – Meditation from ThaisI had noticed that my dog (Kuuta) was doing something sneakily on my Macbook, but I didn’t know that he was secretly writing a blog until I received an email from Prof.Peter Damm ! I looked at it and saw that he was writing about Peter Damm, who I admire. Since he’s a dog,… Read more: Season 2 – No.7 Art of Peter Damm – Meditation from Thais
- Season 2 – No.8 -The Art of Peter Damm – Weber ” Oberon Overture”
I thought I was writing my blog in secret from my master, but he found out. What’s more, he wrote the No.7 post on my behalf. Now that I have his approval, I have nothing to fear. I’ll continue to howl, “I love Peter Damm!” to my heart’s content. My master wrote that ”My… Read more: Season 2 – No.8 -The Art of Peter Damm – Weber ” Oberon Overture” - Season 2 【No.9】 The Art of Peter Damm / Teleman ” Horn Concert D-dur”My owner seems to be worn out by this seemingly endless summer — he’s been out of sorts lately. “How soft, coming from a Shiba Inu covered head-to-toe in fur!” I think to myself, though I have to admit, even I couldn’t get through this summer without the air conditioning and a fan. Kuuta Japanese… Read more: Season 2 【No.9】 The Art of Peter Damm / Teleman ” Horn Concert D-dur”
- Richard Strauss Horn Concert No.1My Master has been in a particularly good mood lately. On top of that, he’s decided “I need to diet before my health check-up!” and has been taking me on walks far more often. I’m grateful, of course — but it does mean I have less time to sneak a listen to records while… Read more: Richard Strauss Horn Concert No.1
- Season 3【No.1】The Art of Peter Damm Robert Schumann “Adagio and Allegro Op.70”Why Peter Damm played the Allegro so passionately ?
- Season 3 【No.2】The Art of Peter Damm Robert Schumann “Konzertstück für vier Hörner und großes Orchester” F-Dur op. 86This is to celebrate Peter Damm’s 88th birthday.
