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Continuing our series of brief reviews we have two 2014 CD releases to close out the year.
First up alphabetically is a recording of double concertos, “Czech-American Horn Duo,” on the Summit label. The hornists are Steven Gross and Jiří Havlík, who perform a program of works by Joseph Reicha, Rosetti, Habermann, and “Haydn” (the latter work being almost certainly not by Haydn and likely a work of Rosetti – an issue they acknowledge in the lilner notes – my take on this topic is here). As to the CD itself, it is a great program of Classical horn double concertos, beautifully performed with an overall sound profile much as if you were out in the audience. Several of these works have rarely if ever been recorded and are well worth a look for anyone interested in the Classical double horn concerto repertoire, one that is surprisingly extensive (Rosetti alone wrote at least seven double concertos!). The listing on Amazon is here.
The other CD for today is “New Millennium Music for Horn” featuring hornist Lydia van Dreel on the Quadre Records label. This CD features a group of very new works composed 2004-12 for a variety of combinations of instruments involving horn. At first glance I was worried that it would not stand together well due to the wide variety presented, but actually the program is compelling and flows very well from piece to piece. Works range from traditional combinations such as the J. M. Gerraughty Trio for Horn, Violin, and Piano (mvt. 1 only) and the Kenji Bunch Shout Chorus for woodwind quintet, two horn quartets, and other more exotic combinations – including two works for natural horn and electronics (by Eve Beglarian and Thomas Hundemer). It is a great set, beautifully performed and produced, and I look forward to more of this type on the Quadre label. The listing on CD Baby is here.
