Mdina – Music for Horn
Following the release of his debut album in May 2007 the virtuoso horn player Etienne Cutajar, who took up his first orchestral seat at 18, has seen his career develop with important orchestral appointments in Scotland and elsewhere before returning to his native country to become principal horn of the Malta Philharmonic. He has also appeared as chamber soloist in many prestigious venues.
This album is named for the central work, Mdina, by Maltese composer Jesmond Grixti; this is a work for horn solo and accompanied by two more contemporary pieces: Air für Horn by Jörg Widmann and Cynddaredd-Brenddyd by Heinz Holliger. These works require the highest accuracy and technical ability which Cutajar supplies with aplomb.
Accompanying these new pieces are three mainstream works: Beethoven’s well known Sonata receives a superb performance, as do the Andante by Richard Strauss and Brahms’s Horn Trio in E flat.
In these works, Cutajar is joined by esteemed pianist and Royal Academy professor John Reid, and in the Brahms Trio by Carmine Lauri, one of the UK’s principal orchestral violinists, who has led the London Symphony, Academy of St Martin in the Fields, and Royal Opera House among others, and has been featured violinist in a host of major feature films.
“Cutajar impresses with his breath control, rock-solid evenness of tone, and amazing pppppppps. One has to admire Cutajar for his facility and technical prowess.” – Robert Markow (Fanfare)
Track Listing
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Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827):
- Sonata for Horn and Piano in F major, Op. 17 - I. Allegro moderato (8:37)
- Sonata for Horn and Piano in F major, Op. 17 - II. Poco adagio, quasi andante (1:20)
- Sonata for Horn and Piano in F major, Op. 17 - III. Rondo allegro (4:49) Jörg Widmann (b. 1973):
- Air für Horn (9:38) Richard Strauss (1864-1949):
- Andante for Horn and Piano, Op. 86a (4:22) Jesmond Grixti (b.1969):
- Mdina (6:43) Heinz Holliger (b.1939):
- Cynddaredd-Brenddwyd (8:07) Johannes Brahms (1833-1897):
- Horn Trio in E flat major, Op. 40 - I. Andante (7:55)
- Horn Trio in E flat major, Op. 40 - II. Scherzo - Allegro (7:09)
- Horn Trio in E flat major, Op. 40 - III. Adagio mesto (7:13)
- Horn Trio in E flat major, Op. 40 - IV. Finale: Allegro con brio (6:11)
Reviews
“An enjoyable album with a varied and interesting sound, thanks to the balance between the more dominant horn and the piano. The variety of styles, from polite chamber music to some more out-there modern music, works well.
” —Jeremy Condliffe
“[A] fascinating and stimulating release. The horn soloist Etienne Cutajar is a master of his instrument and always provides an excellent and inspiring performance. His technical skill and imagination are especially apparent in the modern works.
” —John France
