Malcolm McNab, 'Cantabile in D' (Niccolò Paganini)

Malcolm McNab (1943) is considered one of the greatest trumpeters of all time. He has performed on nearly 2000 film and television soundtracks. The legendary trumpeteer has an unparalleled career as studio musician in Hollywood. His journey with composer John Williams as principal trumpet on 40+ films between 1973 and 2011, including some of the Maestro’s most beloved scores such as 'Jaws', 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind', 'E.T.', 'Jurassic Park' and the 'Indiana Jones' films is nothing less than amazing.

McNab has found time to teach music at various schools, including UCLA, Pomona College, and branches of the California State University. He has twice been the recipient of the Most Valuable Player Award of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. He also held several summer trumpet workshops called 'Camp McNab' and appeared around the world in seminars and masterclasses, teaching and mentoring brilliant young players who then went into successful careers.

Ayke Agus (1949) is an Indonesian classical violinist and pianist, known primarily through her longtime collaboration with the great Russian violinist Jascha Heifetz (1901-1987). She is one of the rare classical music performers who has performed as a soloist accompanied by an orchestra as a multi-instrumentalist.

Niccolò Paganini (1782-1840) was an Italian violinist and composer. He is one of the most celebrated violin virtuoso of all time, and left his mark as one of the pillars of modern violin technique. His 24 Caprices for Solo Violin Op. 1 are among the best known of his compositions and have served as an inspiration for many prominent composers.

Originally written for violin and piano, the well-known 'Cantabile in D, Op. 17' seems to have been composed not for public use, but rather for the private enjoyment of Paganini and his circle. Here we find the composer's virtuoso fireworks tamed, his bag of tricks closed. Far removed from the pyrotechnic 'Caprices', the 'Cantabile' is instead a gorgeous Italian vocalise.

Recorded in the album 'The Infinite Trumpet' (2010).

Check the original version of the ‘Cantabile in D' with the violinist Esther Abrami:

   • Niccolo Paganini - "Cantabile" by Esther A...