Mozart y Mambo

“The horn is for boys,” Sarah Willis' schoolteacher told her, suggesting she learn the flute or the oboe instead. That remark became a challenge for the US-born Brit, who grew up in Tokyo, Boston, Moscow, and London. She had her first horn lesson at the age of 14.

After three years studying on the Performer’s Course at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, Sarah continued her training with Fergus McWilliam in Berlin. From 1991 to 2001, she was a member of the Staatskapelle Berlin, and in 2001, she became the first female brass player to win a position with the Berlin Philharmonic. She has performed with many leading orchestras and appears regularly as a soloist and chamber musician around the world. Her acclaimed recordings include Mozart y Mambo, a fusion of classical and Cuban rhythms.

Passionate about music education, Sarah makes full use of digital technology and social media to reach audiences worldwide. She teaches at the Berlin Philharmonic Karajan Academy and especially enjoys creating and presenting Berlin Philharmonic Family Concerts.

A regular broadcaster and interviewer on TV and online, she also hosted the classical music programme Sarah’s Music for Deutsche Welle TV for several years.

Sarah’s contributions to classical music were recognised at the highest level in the UK when she was made an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in the Queen’s 2021 Birthday Honours List for her services to charity and the promotion of classical music.

source:  Andreas Richter Cultural Consulting 

In 2007, a Mozart monument was unveiled in Havana to mark the 250th anniversary of his birth. For the occasion, José Antonio "Pepe" Méndez conducted an ensemble of his fellow students. Among the attendees was Johannes Honsig-Erlenburg, President of the Mozarteum Foundation Salzburg, who was so impressed that he asked Pepe how he could offer support. This led to the founding of the Havana Lyceum Orchestra, established by Pepe and his friends and classmates from ISA (Instituto Superior de Artes) and ENA (Escuelas Nacionales de Arte).

At the same time, the Mozarteum Salzburg and Cuban historian Eusebio Leal founded the Lyceum Mozartiano de La Habana, a cultural centre dedicated to classical music. Since then, the orchestra and Pepe have grown into an internationally acclaimed ensemble—one of my personal favourites. They tour, record, and inspire with their passion for music and life.

In 2016, the orchestra became a fully professional ensemble with support from the Balthasar Neumann Ensemble (Germany). Following the release of their first Mozart y Mambo album, they gained worldwide recognition and remain deeply grateful for the generous donations to the Instruments for Cuba fund.

Since then, the Havana Lyceum Orchestra has recorded multiple albums and performed on prestigious stages worldwide, including tours across Europe, the United States, and Latin America. Highlights include performances at the Salzburg Festival, the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Their repertoire seamlessly blends classical masterpieces with Cuban musical traditions, captivating audiences with their vibrant performances and distinctive style. The orchestra’s collaborations with international soloists and ensembles continue to showcase their versatility and dedication to musical excellence.

source:  Andreas Richter Cultural Consulting

Born and educated in Cuba, José Antonio Méndez Padrón has dedicated his life to promoting classical music in his homeland. He has never wavered in his belief that classical music has a rightful place in Cuba. According to him, the famous Cuban folk music we all know—salsa, son, mambo, bolero, and more—has its roots in classical traditions, and the 19th century saw a thriving classical music scene in Cuba.

It was thanks to José Antonio Méndez Padrón that Sarah Willis discovered that the Havana Philharmonic Orchestra was once conducted by legends like Stravinsky, Karajan, and Kleiber. And as if conducting weren’t enough—when he’s not on the podium, he’s also known in Havana as a skilled baker and a salsa dancer!

source:  Andreas Richter Cultural Consulting