Baroque-Bolero - Baroque Music for Trombone and Organ

Thomas Horch, principal trombone in the Berlin Philharmonic during Herbert von Karajan's final years as conductor, is now principal of the Bavarian Radio Orchestra. This is his second recording in only a few months. Many aspects of his first one impressed me, though his Hindemith Trombone Sonata was way too forceful for my taste (Nov/Dec 2000: 281). Here, on alto trombone, he plays transcriptions by 18th-Century composers Vivaldi, Pepusch, Boismortier, and Loeillet, as well as two 18th Century-style works by Hannes Meyer (b 1939). One is a sonata based on themes by Pergolesi. The other, Love Play Suite, is the most interesting piece on the program. The last of its five movements is an amusing 'Chorale-Bolero' that sets a familiar tune over the bolero rhythm.

Horch delivers pleasant, moderately expressive, technically polished recitations, but I am not moved or inspired by his playing. Nor am I impressed by his decision to include Vivaldi's Spring concerto from Four Seasons. The notes say Horch played it "with a twinkle in his eye", but it doesn't sound like he included it as a little joke. We all know how this piece sparkles when played on violin; this does not sparkle.

Horch's wife Ruth Vollert accompanies ably on the organ at Maria Konigan Church of Baldham near Munich.