Nancy Ambrose King, Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra & Jeremy Swerling - Lebrun: Oboe Concertos (2023)

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 Janáček 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.

- Ludwig August Lebrun studied oboe with his father, Alexander Lebrun, an immigrant to Germany from Brussels and principal oboist with the renowned Mannheim Orchestra. Ludwig absorbed the Mannheim tradition from an early age, gaining experience playing in the orchestra as an apprentice. He also studied science and philosophy. He was named a Court Musician at age fifteen - one of the youngest ever to receive this honor- and held the position for the rest of his life despite being almost continually absent on concert tours.
- The eminent German critic, Schubart, appraised Ludwig Lebrun with superlatives: "One of the greatest musical geniuses that I have ever come across. He has attained the maximum in perfection on the oboe. His ornaments, inventions and cadenzas are inimitable… a true magician on the oboe... his composition are exceedingly fine and sweet, like drops of nectar.”
- Lebrun’s Oboe Concertos, written in the Mannheim style, are very attractive works, full of melodic inventiveness and instrumental brilliance.
- Played by Nancy Ambrose King (oboe) and the Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by
Jeremy Swerling.
- Reissue of a 2002 recording originally issued on the Cala label.