French horns have provided rich pickings for humorists over the years. British comedy duo Michael Flanders and Donald Swan used the tune of the Rondo from Mozart’s Fourth Concerto for their hilarious song An Ill Wind and Gerard Hoffnung persuaded the great virtuoso Dennis Brain to perform an excerpt from Wolfgang’s dad Leopold’s concerto on a piece of hosepipe.

The younger Mozart wasn’t above exercising his waggish streak when it came to Joseph Leutgeb, the dedicatee of his four concertos and horn quintet, writing insults on his manuscripts and using a colourful array of inks on the score of his solo part.

But it was all in fun as the hornist, who was a cheese monger by day, was one of his oldest and dearest friends, whom he always called “Uncle”.  And Mozart’s love of the instrument, and the singing quality that his friend produced, is evident in the gorgeous music he composed for it.

Two of these works, including the quintet, were at the heart of the latest concert by the Australian Haydn Ensemble which featured the considerable talents of Melbourne teacher and exponent of the natural horn, Carla Blackwood, a regular with Pinchgut Opera and other prominent historical performance groups.