Trumpet Concerto (Arutiunian)

Alexander Arutiunian’s Trumpet Concerto in A-flat major (1950) is the Armenian composer's sixth major composition, a "virtuoso showpiece" composed in 1949-1950. According to J. Sundram, "it is an energetic powerhouse of Eastern European lyricism and harmonic textures".[1]

Arutiunian's engaging and idiomatic trumpet concerto was "quickly assimilated into the standard trumpet repertoire worldwide, earning highest international praise from audiences, critics and performers".[2] In an interview with Allan Kozinn of The New York Times, Philip Smith, the principal trumpeter of the New York Philharmonic, observed that Arutunian's Trumpet Concerto was frequently chosen as an audition piece at Juilliard. "One of the reasons this piece has become so popular..." Smith said, "is just that it's a flashy piece. It has a very gypsyish, Russian, Armenian kind of sound, with very soulful, beautiful melodies and plenty of exciting rapid-tonguing kind of things.'"[3] * Professor Anatoly Selyanin related in 2004, "In January I headed the jury of an American competition devoted to the Arutiunian trumpet concerto. 34 trumpeters played only this concerto." Selyanin said that "even a dog", if admitted to a performance, would recognise the musical structure at once and "know that in eight steps the concerto will be complete"...[4]

Movements

While not divided into formal movements, Arutiunian's Trumpet Concerto consists of five major sections which are all performed attacca (without pause or interruption of the music):

The melodic and rhythmic characteristics of Armenian folk music are a strong influence in Arutiunian’s work. As a composer, he expresses his nationality by incorporating the flavor of ashughner (folk minstrel) improvisations.

Performers

The Soviet trumpeter Timofei Dokschitzer was the first to record the concerto and make it famous. He visited the USA in concert and performed the concerto there, although Roger Voisin is credited with the US premiere of the concerto, performing it with the Boston Pops Orchestra in 1966.

Other noted performers of the concerto include:

Discography

Conductor: Pekka Savijoki. Finland

The London Symphony orchestra. Conductor: Luis Has. RCA Victor 09026-62661-2. USA, 1994

Conductor: Konstantin Orbelyan, Jr. CHAN 9668 England, 2000

Conductor: Atso Almila. Mils 9651 Finland, 1996

LP

References

  1. ↑ Trumpet Concerto in A-flat major (1950), By Jason Sundram
  2. ↑ The Russian Trumpet Sonata, by I. Akhmadullin (doctoral dissertation), North Texas, 2003
  3. ↑ A Natural for Outdoors (and Street Corners), By ALLAN KOZINN, The New York Times, August 1, 2000
  4. ↑ Николай Шиянов, Обыкновенное чудо печального оптимиста // Nedelya oblasti, 38 (103), 15.09.2004
  5. ↑ Where Mozart Tops the Charts, By JENNIFER BLEYER, NYT, April 8, 2007
  6. ↑ TRUMPET CONCERT: ROLF SMEDVIG AT Y, by New York Times, November 8, 1983

External links