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Evenings with the French Horn

Mark Papworth (natural and valved horns) and Rosa Scaffidi (piano) perform music by Berlioz and Blanc. This CD features repertoire that highlights two different types of horns used in France in the late 19th century.

Whilst much of Europe had adopted playing on the valved horn by the middle of the nineteenth century, Parisian horn players persisted with the valveless natural horn until the end of the century. The natural horn was taught at the Paris Conservertoire until 1902. As a result, French composers during this time wrote for both natural and valved horns, and it was common for orchestras to use two natural horns and two valved horns.

Artists

Mark Papworth

Melbourne tram driver Mark Papworth is a highly accomplished musician who studied in Melbourne, Perth and the United States, is at home on very different types of French horn: baroque, natural and modern.

Rosa Scaffidi

Rosa Scaffidi began her life-long love affair with the piano and its mighty repertoire at the age of 2. She is an extremely versatile musician, and is highly skilled in the interpretation of many musical styles as well as being a proficient improviser. 


Press quote

“For his latest excursion into the byways of horn performance and composition, Mark Papworth is again allying himself with pianist Rosa Scaffidi, following the success of their 2020 Siegfried’s Story disc with tuba Per Forsberg. This time, the horn-piano duet presents two works only: a bona fide sonata for natural horn by Adolphe Blanc, a versatile 19th century chamber music composer whose life-span overlapped with that of Hector Berlioz, whose six-part song-cycle Nuits d’ete has been arranged for this recorded performance by Papworth. Admittedly, this latter popular sequence of chansons has been arranged over the years since its first publication. Originally set for mezzo or tenor and piano, later versions by Berlioz accommodated baritone, soprano and contralto. But then, he directed that specific songs be addressed by particular voice types; ah, what a character. That detail is ignored these days where – in concerts, recitals and on CDs – one singer is enough to cope with the series. Nevertheless, as far as I can see, the composer didn’t arrange any of the set for a solo instrument; certainly not by the time he got around to finishing his orchestration of them all in 1856.”

— Clive O'Connell, O'Connell the Music

Track Listing

    Les nuits d’ete, Op. 7 Hector Berlioz

  1. I. Villanelle
  2. II. Le spectre de la rose
  3. III. Sur les lagunes
  4. IV. Absence
  5. V. Au cimetiere
  6. VI. L’ile inconnue

    7. Sonate pour cor et piano, Op. 43 Adolphe Blanc

  7. I. Allegro
  8. II. Scherzo
  9. III. Romance
  10. IV. Finale

Performers

Where to buy

Evenings with the French Horn is available as as CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer secure online ordering.

Move CDs can be ordered through music retailers across Australia including Readings.

Product details

List price
$25.00 AUD
Release date
November 2023
Copyright
© 2023 Move Records
Phonogram
℗ 2023 Move Records
Category
Classical
Catalogue number
MCD 640
Alternate catalogue number
MCD640
Barcode
EAN 9314574064025