Albrecht Mayer Longing for Paradise Review

Albrecht Mayer is a German Oboe, English horn and oboe d’amore player that is world known, both as a soloist and chamber player. He is the principal oboist for the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Mayer continues to expand the repertoire through his transcriptions and arrangements. He is also passionate about growing the repertoire with new music too. His collaborations include Hélène Grimaud, Thomas Quasthoff, and Leif Ove Andsnes. As a soloist, he has appeared with Claudio Abbado, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, and Nigel Kennedy, among others. As a recording artist, Mayer has earned several awards, including the Echo Klassik “Instrumentalist of the Year” award twice. His recorded catalog includes recordings for the Deutsche Grammophon and Decca labels.

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About the Album

Mayer’s latest recording is Longing for Paradise, on Deutsche Grammophon. He joins conductor Jakub Hrůša leading the Bamberger Symphoniker to deliver a stirring program of Richard Strauss, Elgar, Ravel, and Goossens. The compositions are from the period between World War I and World War II. Mayer’s oboe playing is absolutely graceful, and his ability to compile a program of music for an instrument that has a small repertoire is astonishing. The recording quality and balance are pristine, allowing Mayer’s singing tone to soar over the beauty of the Bamberger Symphoniker. Hrůša, the son of the architect Petr Hrůša, is a leading conductor of his generation. At 38 years of age, he has held multiple prestigious conducting posts. Conducting orchestras throughout Europe, the U.K., U.S., Australia, and Japan, he is very comfortable in a broad range of repertory. Together with Mayer, they bring out the beauty of all eleven of these stunning expressive tracks.

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Our Favorite Track

Our favorite track is R. Strauss: Concerto for Oboe and Small Orchestra in D Major, AV 144, TrV 292 (Rev. Version) – 3a. “Vivace.” The playful energy the orchestra and Mayer convey is contagious. Hrůša’s attention to accents and bringing out the singing melodies around the technically brilliant oboe part is perfect. The tempo is energetic but never frantic, and the counterpoint is always focused with clear separation. Mayer’s playing is effortless, which is no small feat; multiple passages require superb technical control. All of this is played with a relaxed, natural proficiency that has earned Mayer his reputation. The solo oboe cadenza at the end flows into the “Allegro” movement of the composition, and the same before mentioned qualities are carried through that movement too.

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In Conclusion

Longing for Paradise is a superb recording at every level. Mayer’s oboe playing is in top form, and this is the pinnacle of his recorded collection in terms of tone, energy, and musical character. The program has a logical flow of music that sits well together as a whole. Hrůša’s leading of the Bamberger Symphoniker is excellent. The result, Longing for Paradise, is a superb musical expression on every level.