A new masterpiece for horn trio marks Steven Gross’ 25th season at UCSB

“Steven Gross, Professor of Horn and Head of the Wind, Brass and Percussion Areas at UC Santa Barbara, capped his 25th year on the faculty by commissioning a magnificent new Trio for Horn, Violin and Piano (2017) from iconic American composer William Bolcom. With colleagues Philip Ficsor violin and Constantine Finehouse piano (American Double) Gross gave the West Coast premiere of the work last Saturday at the Music Academy of the West. The world premiere took place at King Center Recital Hall, Denver in September 2018 with the same players.

…Czech American composer Václav Nelhybel (1919-1996) is a favorite among brass and wind players for his wonderfully exciting use of folk tunes, catchy rhythms, massive sound structures, and unique modalities. His wide portfolio of works including dozens of masterpieces for concert band are well known, but Gross’s choice of Nelhybel’s Scherzo Concertante for Horn and Piano to open his program at Hahn Hall, immediately established the French horn as the heldentenor of the brass choir, capable of color and mood and texture beyond all other brass instruments. Demonstrating the amazing chops necessary to make the fickle best behave, Gross made it clear that on a good night, humans can persevere over the instrument. Displaying stunning control, Gross invigorated every jolly Nelhybel riff with delicious bravado, collaborating pianist Constantine Finehouse adding wonderfully detached thus spacious accompaniment. The last moment of the piece, a testament to Gross’s edgy understanding of the sound spectrum, shocked and satisfied. Virtuoso fun.”

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Gross is securely au fait with Rosetti…and he and Havlik dovetail excellently, with some acrobatic writing and a fair amount of rococo wit to be heard. Elegant lyricism floods the slow movement, whilst [sic] hunting motifs are out in force for the Rondo finale.

The two soloists make an estimable team, whether in unison or curling apart for the virtuosic or lyric writing embedded in these genial scores.

Steven Gross…and Jiri Havlik have made an elegant recording of classical concerti for two horns and orchestra. These musicians…have found a happy stylistic middle ground wherein their sounds merge compatibly. Musicians and conductors will be inspired to program these works after hearing this excellent recording.

Steven Gross delivers . . . with a virtuosity that seems effortless, with flair and aplomb. His articulations are clear and precise. Legato passages are smooth with a clean precision. This is horn playing at the highest level.

Steven Gross brings a great touch to this work with a musical and light style.

Gross’s playing brims with confidence, flair, and authority. He has the legendary natural facility and musicianship of Dennis Brain, the clarity of articulation of Philip Farkas, and the tone quality of Hermann Baumann—golden, radiant, well focused, and absolutely brilliant in the high range. It is the kind of sound that makes a youngster tug at his father’s trouser legs and beg him to be allowed to learn the instrument.

[Gordon Jacob’s Horn Concerto] was the perfect vehicle for Mr. Gross’ warm tone and fluid phrasing.  He navigated running passages with admirable skill and impeccable intonation. His sense of singing line in the adagio was persuasive, and the finale, featuring a repeated-note figure, was propulsive, infectious and smiling.

…featured spectacular, highly-lying solos by principal horn Steven Gross.

Steven Gross’s horn solo in the second movement was gorgeous.

Bernard Krol’s “Laudatio for Solo Horn,” was some kind of tour de force, or at the least, the remarkable hornist Steven Gross turned it into one.

…played a humorous and rousing concert in Bandon’s trim Sprague Community Theatre…showed skill and stamina in difficult music.

…an excellent tone and the ability and temperament to play heroically.

…offered some of the cleanest articulation and purest musicality I’ve ever heard.

…mellow tone, sure control of dynamics and phrasing.

[Steve Gross] played with a warm, rich tone and showed all the varied articulations and dynamics the composer demanded.