Soundscapes For Solo Horn
Navona, 2025
8/10
Listen to Soundscapes For Solo Horn
Steven Gross and Pascal Salomon bring their inimitable talents to the music of Czech and Germanic horn traditions, where several different composers see their vision fleshed out with care and detail.
Jaroslav Kofroň’s “Sonatina for Horn and Piano” opens with Salomon’s dancing keys and Gross’ booming horn making for much grace and warmth, and “Musica per Corno solo” follows with restraint and emotion thanks to Gross’ pensive delivery of the Klement Slavický tune.
Halfway through, Václav Nelhýbel’s upbeat “Scherzo Concertante” showcases tremendous interaction between the pair that’s melodic and mesmerizing, while "Concerto for Horn in E flat major C49/K III:36”, by Francesco Antonio Rosetti, is a colorful and dynamic album highlight. “Nocturno, Op. 7” exits, and illuminates Salomon’s meticulous keys and Gross’ rich horn via much sophistication and timelessness.
A very technical and often emotional journey, Gross and Salomon bring their respective talents to classical ideas, rhythmic bouts and a soulful execution that will always be relevant.
Travels well with: Kristina Marinova- The Bus Came By And I Got On: Grateful Dead Piano Works; Frank Horvat- More Rivers