TrumpetMaster - View Single Post

JackD · 08-08-2005, 05:39 AM

I agree - unfortunately for us most audiences tend to be attracted to music from the classical and romantic eras, and this happens to coincide exactly with a drought in solo trumpet works! Personally this one of the things that attracts me to orchestral playing - you get to play music by great composers who never wrote solo works for our instrument.

That's a good point about the virtousity bar having been raised so high: I doubt I'll ever be able to play some of the things written for Håkan Hardenberger, regardless of the musical value. That repertoire will be the exclusive realm of exceptional virtuosos, and so will not be performed as much.

I'm slightly suprised noone has mentioned the Arutiunian - in my opnion a very good example of a very good modern, listenable and playable concerto.

I also agree the Gregson is another good example.

However, I do not think we should shun those composers who ARE writing for our instrument. We might not love Maxwell-Davies' or Birtwistle's music, but who is to say the importance these composers will have in 50 years time?

Contemporaries of Beethoven thought his music was bizzarre and unmusical. Look how widely he is loved now.

08-08-2005, 05:39 AM	#12 (permalink)
JackD Mezzo Forte User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Manchester / London Posts: 763	I agree - unfortunately for us most audiences tend to be attracted to music from the classical and romantic eras, and this happens to coincide exactly with a drought in solo trumpet works! Personally this one of the things that attracts me to orchestral playing - you get to play music by great composers who never wrote solo works for our instrument. That's a good point about the virtousity bar having been raised so high: I doubt I'll ever be able to play some of the things written for Håkan Hardenberger, regardless of the musical value. That repertoire will be the exclusive realm of exceptional virtuosos, and so will not be performed as much. I'm slightly suprised noone has mentioned the Arutiunian - in my opnion a very good example of a very good modern, listenable and playable concerto. I also agree the Gregson is another good example. However, I do not think we should shun those composers who ARE writing for our instrument. We might not love Maxwell-Davies' or Birtwistle's music, but who is to say the importance these composers will have in 50 years time? Contemporaries of Beethoven thought his music was bizzarre and unmusical. Look how widely he is loved now.