Mozart y Mambo: Cuban Dances
Sarah Willis (horn), Havana Lyceum Orchestra, The Sarahbanda, José Antonio Méndez Padrón
This follow-up disc is every bit as exuberant as the first. Willis completes her survey of Mozart’s horn concertos with assured and expressive performances, accompanied with aplomb by the Havana...
Mozart y Mambo: Cuban Dances
Sarah Willis (horn), Havana Lyceum Orchestra, The Sarahbanda, José Antonio Méndez Padrón
Purchase product
This follow-up disc is every bit as exuberant as the first. Willis completes her survey of Mozart’s horn concertos with assured and expressive performances, accompanied with aplomb by the Havana...
About
Following the phenomenal success of the first Mozart y Mambo album, Sarah Willis returns to Cuba not only to record two more Mozart horn concertos but also to create a landmark original work that takes its place in Cuban music history. In Mozart y Mambo - Cuban Dances, Sarah commissions the very first Cuban horn concerto – calling on six young talented Cuban composers to each write an original dance for solo horn, strings, and percussion inspired by the most famous dance rhythms from across different regions of Cuba. Together with her beloved Havana Lyceum Orchestra conducted by José Antonio Méndez Padrón, Sarah takes us on a cross country musical road trip in this spectacular showcase of the roots and traditions of Cuba’s music and dance. Cuban Dances is Cuban music as it has never been heard before and a huge challenge for the horn player, not only technically but physically – “if you can’t dance it you can’t play it” she was told. So dance it she did! Mozart y Mambo - Cuban Dances is full of magic, energy, and passion, and Sarah’s love for Cuban music is evident in every track.
Contents and tracklist
- Arr. for Horn and Orchestra by Jorge Aragó
- Sarah Willis, Carlos Calunga
- Havana Lyceum Orchestra
- José Antonio Méndez Padrón
- Arr. for Horn and Orchestra by Jorge Aragó
- Sarah Willis
- Havana Lyceum Orchestra
- José Antonio Méndez Padrón
- Sarah Willis
- The Sarahbanda
- Sarah Willis
- Havana Lyceum Orchestra
- José Antonio Méndez Padrón
- Sarah Willis, Enrique Lazaga
- Havana Lyceum Orchestra
- José Antonio Méndez Padrón
- Sarah Willis
- Havana Lyceum Orchestra
- José Antonio Méndez Padrón
Spotlight on this release
Awards and reviews
November 2022
This follow-up disc is every bit as exuberant as the first. Willis completes her survey of Mozart’s horn concertos with assured and expressive performances, accompanied with aplomb by the Havana Lyceum Orchestra...With proceeds from the album pledged to support young Cuban musicians, this disc comes highly recommended.
Awards Issue 2022
The orchestra’s tone is arguably even more refined here than on the previous album – in part, perhaps, because this project has inspired donations that have allowed the young musicians to have better instruments...Ms Willis and Co, bring on the third volume and K495, please!
21st August 2022
With a suave rumba (with chirping cricket), bolero and cha-cha-cha – Sarahchá – this is perfect hot weather music. This star player is put through her hornist paces and comes out dancing. Some of the proceeds will go to buying instruments for the young Havana musicians.