Sarah Willis, Havana Lyceum Orchestra & José Antonio Méndez Padrón - Mozart y Mambo: Cuban Dances (2022) [Hi-Res]

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. For this album, Sarah Willis 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 Willis 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! This new album is full of magic, energy, and passion, and Sarah’s love for Cuban music is evident in every track.