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Media: Music
Arutunian Trumpet concerto at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens for the Romsey Festival Gala Concert 2023
13:32
Mark Cox - Trumpet

Arutunian Trumpet concerto at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens for the Romsey Festival Gala Concert 2023

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
Arutunian rehearsal for the Romsey Festival Gala Concert with Southampton Concert Orchestra
01:20:19
Mark Cox - Trumpet

Arutunian rehearsal for the Romsey Festival Gala Concert with Southampton Concert Orchestra

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
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