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by Huntley Dent, Fanfare Magazine
"What immediately confronts the listener in Horn Sonata No. 2 are telltale traits that run throughout the collection." "I can almost see him sitting in the orchestra paying close attention to Brahms and Richard Strauss (a hornist’s best friend). This sonata owes the piano part considerably to Brahms and the leaping intervals of the principal theme in the first movement to Strauss." "All these sonatas follow a traditional slow-fast-slow structure in three movements, the slow movement being a songful melody, the finale a Rondo. Typically, brass sonatas are display pieces, but Lewinter concentrates on lyricism and instrumental color–..." "I’ve never before encountered a chamber work for piano and three brass instruments (trumpet, French horn, and trombone), which makes Lewinter’s contribution to the genre unique." "I imagine that brass players who pick up these scores will recognize that the music sits well for their instruments. The performers are all of high caliber, and Navona’s recorded sound is vivid and well balanced. Although this is Lewinter’s first appearance as a composer in Fanfare, I gather that his chamber pieces, which are mostly for brass but also extend to woodwinds and a string quartet, have been gratifyingly popular." "Four stars: Tuneful, consistently attractive brass music." |