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Bravura: oeuvres pour cor naturel et pianoforte
Louis-Pierre Bergeron, horn; Meagan Milatz, piano
Atma Classique, 2024
Horn player Louis-Pierre Bergeron and pianist Meagan Milatz mark historic landmarks in their debut album, Bravura, works for natural horn and piano, produced by Atma Classique. In addition to premiere recordings of selected works by Vincenzo Rhigini and Franz Xaver Süssmayr as well as Cipriani Potter’s Sonata di bravura on historic instruments, the album is the first solo recording of a period brass instrument in Canada.
Performing on reproductions of classical horns and a Viennese fortepiano, the duo’s tasteful and elegant musicianship is apparent from the opening notes of Righini’s Duo for Horn and Piano in D major (1780). Taking centre stage in Cipriani Potter’s Sonata di bravura for Horn and Piano in E-flat major, Op.13 (1824), the harpsichord part flows like a Chopin Nocturne, reminiscent of bel canto vocal writing. Cadential concerto-style figures are exceptionally well played by Milatz who flies through the elegant passage work with grace, ease, and bravura.
In Beethoven’s Sonata for Horn and Piano in F major, Op.17 (1800), Bergeron offers noble sound alongside fine dynamic grading. The duo’s fine ensemble work is manifest through the dialogue between horn and piano, their precise articulation and attention to the nuances of performance practice style. The high quality of the ensemble is maintained through Süssmayr’s refreshing Sonata movement for Horn and Piano in E-flat major. N. F. von Krufft’s Sonata for Horn and Piano in E major (1814) contains a beautiful second movement theme on the horn and a charming third movement.
This rising-star Canadian duo meets high standards of elegance and taste with naturally flowing virtuosity servicing musical expression and style. Notable individual traits from Bergeron and Milatz come together in impeccable and freely expressive playing. The use of period instruments provides warmth and colours, well-captured and balanced by the recording production. A treat.
Playlist
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