The eight release in RCO Live’s Horizon series contains two world premieres (co-)commissioned by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra: James MacMillan’s haunting Trombone Concerto, played by our principal trombone player Jörgen van Rijen and new Passion music by the Azerbaijani composer Franghiz Ali-Zadeh. Instead of putting to music one of the four New Testament Passions, she chose to use poetry of her 14th-century compatriot, the poet Imadaddin Nasimi. Originally commissioned by Barry Tuckwell, Oliver Knussen’s nocturnal Horn Concerto is here played by our former principal hornist Félix Dervaux.

“showpiece for the supreme Van Rijen.” – NRC (MacMillan)

“Chorus and orchestra gave [this work] the luxury treatment, under Brabbins’ unswerving leadership.” – Bachtrack (Ali-Zadeh)

“Félix Dervaux played marvellously in Knussen’s Horn Concerto.” – Het Parool

Recorded live at the Concertgebouw Amsterdam on:
- 20, 21 and 23 April 2017 (MacMillan)
- 11 and 12 May 2017 (Knussen)
- 7 and 9 April 2017 (Ali-Zadeh)