Mozart's horn concertos were written in a way that made them practically unplayable on natural horns, attracting progressive composers to the Cornobone.
Historical Context
After the original owner's death, the surviving Cornobone instrument and the manuscripts of the four Cornobone Concertos were allegedly purchased and destroyed by the 'Hornverein Salzburger Solisten', who then changed the title pages to 'Corno'.
Composition History
A recent discovery in late 1997 revealed that Mozart's so-called horn concertos were originally written for an instrument called the "Cornobone" (hornbone), not the natural horn.
Recording & Production
This recording is labeled a "sensational world Premiere Recording" because it is believed to be the first to feature Mozart's horn concertos performed on the instrument for which they were originally intended, the Cornobone.
Interpretation
Christian Lindberg, the performer on this album, has rebuilt a modern Cornobone based on the restored Mozart painting and recorded all the concertos on this instrument.
Composer Biography
Mozart's friendship with horn player Joseph Leutgeb was his longest, and Leutgeb assisted Mozart's widow, Constanze, in publishing the horn concertos around 1800.
Instruments
The Cornobone, an instrument with a slide to facilitate chromatic runs, was likely very difficult and expensive to build, possibly existing only as a single example.
