There’s a certain meeting of minds in this new album of horn trios in that it coincides with birth-date anniversaries of the programme’s three composers, born successively 70 years apart: Johannes Brahms (b. 1833), Lennox Berkeley (b. 1903) and Jonathan Leschnoff (b. 1973).
Making their debut recording together are David Cooper, principal horn of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra; violinist Alexander Kerr, concertmaster formerly of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and currently of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra; and distinguished pianist Orion Weiss, who already has numerous successful recordings to his credit on the Naxos label.
David Cooper, Horn • Alexander Kerr, Violin • Orion Weiss, Piano
The viability of the horn trio was definitively established by Brahms in 1865. He had learned the natural horn as a child and infused his Trio with a range of moods, including a deeply felt slow movement in honour of his mother who had died earlier in the year and a carefree finale which explores the horn’s hunting legacy. Inspired by this precedent, Lennox Berkeley’s Trio is lively and characterful with a sequence of ingenious and playful variations. GRAMMY-nominated Jonathan Leshnoff is one of America’s leading contemporary composers and his 2016 Trio moves from darkness to light, and is full of pointed syncopations, before arriving at a joyous conclusion.
Listen to an extract from Berkeley’s Trio for Violin, Horn and Piano: I. Allegro
About the Artists
David Cooper held the coveted solo horn position of the Berlin Philharmonic in 2017–18 and became principal horn of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 2019. Among the world’s top horn players, he's recognised for his ability to flawlessly perform the most challenging repertoire. He has played as guest principal horn with many of the world’s finest orchestras, such as the London Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic, in addition to numerous solo and chamber music appearances throughout the world.
Violinist Alexander Kerr assumed the position of concertmaster of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam in 1996, aged 26. After nine successful years in that post, he was appointed professor of violin at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he maintains a busy concert schedule appearing with orchestras and in recital and chamber music performances throughout the US, Asia and Europe. He assumed his role as concertmaster of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra in 2011.
Pianist Orion Weiss is one of the most sought-after soloists and chamber music collaborators of his generation. In addition to solo appearances with dozens of North American orchestras, he is also known for his affinity for chamber music, appearing regularly with numerous soloists and string quartets. His awards include the Classical Recording Foundation’s Young Artist of the Year, the Gilmore Young Artist Award, an Avery Fisher Career Grant, and the Mieczysław Munz Scholarship.
More albums of chamber music by the featured composers
‘This disc succeeds brilliantly on every level, with committed performances and vivid sonics, both of which enhance the already stunning music.’ – Fanfare
