TRUMPET RENAISSANCE

Philippe Schartz is establishing quite a name for himself as a top trumpet player. He is Principal Trumpet with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, and has played with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra and the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra. In this varied programme, Schartz explores some of the most original works in the trumpet repertoire of the modern era. Birtwistle’s energetic Endless Parade was composed in 1987, following an encounter with a festive parade in the mediaeval Italian town of Lucca. In contrast, Pietà by the German composer Christian Jost emphasises the instrument’s range of sound qualities in a lament dedicated to the late jazz trumpeter Chet Baker. The Concerto Grosso No. 1 of 1938 by Kurt Roger is one of the earliest twentieth-century concertos for trumpet and a gem in its repertoire. The concertos by Jost and Roger are here recorded for the first time. The final work is the Trumpet Concerto by Arutiunian, perhaps the best known of the pieces on this disc and one which Schartz had the opportunity to study with the trumpet master Timofei Dokshitser, whose long-established edition of the work he is performing. Schartz comments- ‘It is the perfect showcase for my instrument and the music displays lyrical and technical prowess.’ The BBC National Orchestra of Wales is conducted by Jac van Steen.