Martin-Joseph Mengal
3 Quartets for Flute, Clarinet, Horn and Bassoon op.19
The brothers Mengal have often been mistaken for one another. There is Martin-Joseph Mengal (1784 - 1851) and his younger brother Jean Mengal ( 1796 - 1878). Both have been famous horn players.
His brother Jean was taught by the Parisian horn player Domnich. He and his brother won the first prize at the Conservatoire (Jean 1814, Martin 1809). Jean had been the first horn player at the opera house in Paris and composed for his instrument. Sometimes compositions get mixed between the brothers. These quartets, edited by Robert Ostermeyer, are certainly composed by Martin-Joseph
These quartets are composed in Paris. The title page names Mengal the first horn player at the Royal Opera Comic in Paris. The print was published 1816 in Paris by Bochsa.
The quartets convince in their composition and musicality. The part for the natural horn is composed in deepest knowledge of the instruments and makes the hearer forget about the limits. Only astonishing is that his work has been almost unknown until today.
Quartet No.1 C major Allegro - Theme varie - Allegro:
