A fortnight ago, I had the privilege of hearing Stefan Dohr’s superb performance of Strauss’s Horn Concerto No. 2 (1943) with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra conducted by former TSO Principal Conductor Ola Rudner. The encore on that occasion was Messiaen’s Appel interstellaire (Interstellar Call), more of which later. I must say upfront that Dohr’s playing at this Hobart event was of such a high standard that it eclipsed my memories of other French horn exponents in both live concert and recordings. 

Stephan smiles, holding his French horn.

Stefan Dohr. Photo courtesy of Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra

On this occasion, Dohr undertook two concertos from the somewhat meagre solo repertoire for this instrument – Mozart’s Horn Concerto No. 3 in E-flat, K447 and Strauss’s Horn Concerto No. 1 in E-flat, Op. 11. Dohr can command all the rich, round tone quality that this instrument is known for, but it is the security and lustre of his soft playing that is most remarkable. He produced a dynamic range, making the smoothest of transitions in a way that was quite staggering. These were beautiful renditions of both works, with the orchestra...