ecarroll

TMers,

Trumpetnick cites Maurice Andre's comment "that he should learn as many trumpet concertos as he can" in the John Williams thread. I concur and particularly agree that it's important to look outside the well-worn playlist of common pieces (Haydn, Hummel, Tomasi, etc.), good as they are, if one is trying to develop a truly unique solo voice.

A few trumpet concerti that I believe are well worth consideration include:

Tamberg Concerto
Vassilenko Concerto
Goedicke Concerto
Weinberg Concerto
Zimmerman Concerto "Nobody Knows the Trouble I See"
Wessman: Concerto
Desenclos: Incantation, Threne, et Danse

Eotvos: Jet Stream
Gruber: Ariel
Maxwell Davies: Concerto
Birtwistle: Endless Parade
Martinsson: Bridge (Concerto #1)
Linkola: Concerto No. 1 and No.2
Raats: Concerto

Please note that list "B" demands extraordinary technique that few of us, save (insert icon here), have, but that most of the works on the "A" list can be mastered without extended heartache. I've purposefully left the Jolivet Concertino and 2nd Concerto off the list as they border on commonly played. I'm also disregarding double concerti or works for concertante soloists.

I'm curious -- how many of you have played one or more of these pieces? All are major works for solo trumpet and orchestra.

Watching with interest,
EC

mahaberio

Ed,

Little-known fact: there are actually two Tamberg concertos. The second has not been recorded (to my knowledge) and it has proven rather difficult to find information on it. I would also add a few more (most of which would fall under your "List B"):

Michael Blake Watkins: Concerto
Mark-Anthony Turnage: From the Wreckage
Daniel Börtz: Trumpet Concerto 'Songs and Dances'
Folke Rabe: Sardine Sarcophagus
James MacMillan: Epiclesis
Benedict Mason: Trumpet Concerto

I have grown increasingly interested in MacMillan's "Epiclesis" and I really hope to perform one day.

I have worked on the Weinberg but never performed it. I looked into doing the Tamberg but actually decided that I don't like the piece at all. Currently I'm working on the Zimmermann, but until my recital is over with (February 2) I won't be able to devote as much time to it as I'd like to.

trumpetnick

Ed,

I played the Desenclos (had to prepare for the same Maurice Andre's master class) Finally, I decided not to play it on the masterclass as I was not really confortable with - it is quite a challenge on the stamina level. Where do you get the Martinsson's Bridge from? is there a piano reduction? I have the Hardenberger recording and would say that is rather impressive...

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mahaberio

Nick,

Martinsson's site says that Bridge is available from Gehrmans Musikförlag (www.gehrmans.se). The study score and a set of parts is available, no piano reducation. Perhaps make your own with the study score?

trptcolin

I've practiced the Goedicke Concerto, but couldn't play it all the way through due to endurance issues as of last year... I think playing it too loud was a big portion of the problem. I played one of the "orchestra" trumpet parts in an unpublished solo tpt+brass quintet transcription, though.

mahaberio

I dug up just a little more information on the second Tamberg Concerto. It was written in 1997, is subtitled "Drei Präludien und Toccata", and is published by Sikorski. It would certainly be worth a look.

ecarroll

Matthew,

You're a font of knowledge and greatly appreciated here. I know (or know of) most of the pieces you added, but the Benedict Mason Trumpet Concerto is new to me. Tell us about it?

MBW is a terrific composer (many of my students play Death of an Eagle) and we've discussed our common Turnage fetish on another thread.

Best,
EC

Khora

Great thread!

I've performed the Goedicke Concerto and the Desenclos (with piano, though, not orchestra).

I'm currently working on the Lowell Liebermann for a possible performance next year. Still a little undecided about it, though.

I've worked up the Linkola Concerto #1, but haven't yet had a chance to perform it. Ditto with the Wolpe Piece for Trumpet and 7 Instruments, which may or may not belong on the list.

Thanks for posting the list, and the additions!

mahaberio

Benedict Mason is a very interesting composer/sound artist (he wrote a sackbut concerto...) who seems to be gaining more and more notoriety. He incorporates quite a bit of electronic music into much of his output such as a piece for orchestra, electronic sampler, and video (he also has a degree in film). The Trumpet Concerto was written in 1996 and is much more simplistic in nature than much of his previous work. Most of the ensemble writing is on single pitches that occasionally break off into (at most) three note groups, and the ensemble rarely plays above piano. The rhythms are simple and there is little activity. The work is not about music, but about listening. I suppose you can describe the Trumpet Concerto as the brainchild of a "moderate Cage-ian." Philosophically it serves the same purpose as much of Cage's music but not as extreme. For me, I love both the complex music of a composer such as Unsuk Chin, but I also greatly appreciate the more philosophical, contemplative approach of Cage, so it's nice that there is someone filling a middle ground.

ecarroll

Matthew,

Do you have contact info for Mr. Mason? I'm very interested in his piece for sampler/vid (very CalArtian) and, as I mentioned, his work is unknown to me.

Thanks for bringing it to my/our attention.

Best,
EC