https://markcoxtrumpet.bandcamp.com

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Academic Festival Overture (German: Akademische Festouvertüre),[1] Op. 80, by Johannes Brahms, was one of a pair of contrasting concert overtures — the other being the Tragic Overture, Op. 81. Brahms composed the work during the summer of 1880 as a tribute to the University of Breslau, which had notified him that it would award him an honorary doctorate in philosophy. https://markcoxtrumpet.bandcamp.com

https://markcoxtrumpet.bandcamp.com

The original music to La Péri was written in 1911 by Paul Dukas as a Poème dansé en un tableau ("dance poem in one scene"), his last published work. Although not as well known as his famous symphonic poem The Sorcerer's Apprentice, the ballet has been considered to be one of his most mature and skilled pieces. The music's style can best be described as a mixture of Romantic tonal harmony and orchestration techniques with Impressionism, and is distinctly French. The ballet itself is preceded by this brilliant fanfare that uses the orchestra's brass section, and which is often performed separately. https://markcoxtrumpet.bandcamp.com

I first heard this piece being played exquisitely by the amazing French trumpet player Nicolas Chatenet (Opéra national de Paris) and have wanted to record it ever since. Written by John Williams for the film Lincoln, it's a passionate piece, capturing Lincoln's optimistic spirit. Lincoln's second inaugural address previewed his plans for healing a once-divided nation. The speech is engraved on the north interior wall of the Lincoln Memorial and a part of that speech...."...With malice toward none, with charity for all..." continues to inspire and evoke. Piano accompaniment downloaded by Brandon1900 downloaded from MuseScore https://markcoxtrumpet.bandcamp.com

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Recorded at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens for the Romsey Festival Gala Concert with Southampton Concert Orchestra conducted by Paul Ingram. Arutiunian conceived the main theme for this concerto in 1943. Like most of his themes, it first came to him while he was asleep. He was encouraged to complete the work by a longtime friend, Zolak Vartasarian, who was principal trumpet in the Yerevan Opera Orchestra. Unfortunately, Vartasarian died in the war that same year, and the concerto was not completed until 1950. It was premiered then by Timofei Dokshizer in Moscow. The movements are Andante, Allegro energico, Meno mosso, and Allegro. A long virtuoso cadenza brings the concerto to an abrupt but stylish close. Since Arutiunian composed this work (also known as Concerto in A flat), it has continued to grow in popularity. In 1990-1991, for example, it led a list of eighty-two solos performed by approximately 150 professional, faculty, and student members of the International Trumpet Guild. - Program Note from Program Notes for Band Arutunian often incorporated melodic material reminiscent of the ashughner (Armenian poet musicians and minstrels). Amid the vibrant, rhythmic, and downright catchy themes of his trumpet concerto, Arutunian intersperses long, melodic, near-improvisatory sections hearkening back to the ashughner. Aykaz Messlayan was the first performer of the concerto, but it was the Russian virtuoso Timofei Dokschitzer whose recordings and international performances of the work cemented it as a staple for trumpeters around the world. - Program Note from University of Texas Wind Ensemble concert program, 9 February 2022 https://markcoxtrumpet.bandcamp.com

Southampton Concert Orchestra, conducted by Paul Ingram - 2nd July 2023 rehearsing the Arutunian Trumpet Concerto for the Romsey Festival Gala Concert Chapters 00:00 Orchestra warm up 0:00:42 First run through up to figure D Meno mosso 0:04:05 From figure A Allegro to Cadenza play through 0:19:40 From P Tempo 1 to Cadenza rehearsal 0:34:29 Cadenza Allegro con brio to the end rehearsal 0:37:00 Beginning Andante maestoso rehearsal 0:43:07 Figure A Allegro energico rehearsal 0:52:25 Figure D Meno mosso rehearsal 1:04:01 Figure G Tempo 1 rehearsal 1:10:00 Meno mosso (muted) rehearsal 1:18:26 Figure C rehearsal Alexander Arutunian began writing a trumpet concerto for Zolak Vartasarian, but the soloist was killed in military action during World War II before Arutunian was able to finish the piece. Instead, Russian trumpeter Timofei Dokschitzer performed the premiere in 1950. When Dokschitzer immigrated to the United States, he brought Arutunian’s concerto with him. It has since gained popularity and is now known as a staple in the trumpet literature. Arutunian’s compositions are colorful with folk-like melodies. The freely developed and narrative qualities of the 18th century Armenian minstrels, called ashug, are emulated in his music. Concerto for Trumpet is a single movement that moves through contrasting sections without pause. The brief introduction contains a chromatic melody rich in Armenian folk influences. The first section incorporates two themes, one dance-like and one lyrical, before moving to a romantically-inspired second section. All of the melodies and introductory material are developed at length throughout the work. Finally, a return of the festive opening theme prepares a dazzling solo cadenza and the concerto’s resounding conclusion. https://markcoxtrumpet.bandcamp.com