Dennis Brain (1921 – 1957) was a very distinguished British horn player and was largely responsible for popularizing the horn as a solo classical instrument with the public. He made what many consider the definitive recordings of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's horn concerti. [edit] A Family Tradition Dennis Brain was born in London into a family already well known for producing fine horn players. His grandfather, Alfred Edwin Brain sr. (1860-02-04 - 1925-10-25), was considered one of the top horn soloists of his time. His uncle, Alfred Edwin Brain jr. (1885-10-24 - 1966-03-29), had a successful career playing horn in the United States with the New York Symphony Society and later as a soloist in Hollywood. His father, Aubrey Brain (1893-07-12 - 1955-09-21), held the principal horn position in the BBC Symphony Orchestra and was also a teacher. Aubrey Brain produced the first Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart horn concerto recording in 1927. His mother, Marion Brain, was a composer and wrote cadenzas to the first and third Mozart horn concerti which her husband played. His brother, Leonard Brain (1915 - 1975) was an oboist and performed with Dennis in a wind quintet that Dennis formed. Tina Brain, one of Leonard's children (Dennis's niece), became a professional horn player. Brain married Yvonne Brain and had two children: Anthony Paul Brain and Sally Brain. [edit] Musical Career [edit] Early Years Cover art for a biographical book written about Brain Enlarge Cover art for a biograph