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Master Class: André Henry
Saturday, May 27, 11:30am
Cliff Newton, Reviewer
On Saturday, May 27, André Henri, replacing Rolf Smedvig, conducted a masterclass in the Conservatory Recital Hall. Henry, who is the principal trumpet of the Orchestre de la Pays Loire, worked with several students on musical and techical aspects of trumpet playing. The first student to play for Henry chose the 1st movement of the Hayden Concerto in E Flat. Stressing that proper support is the key to a good sound, Henri had the student strive for fuller expansion of his lungs. He also emphasized the necessity for the lip opening and speed of air to be appropriate for the register. He demonstrated this by playing a high C followed by a triple forte pedal F. Musically, he displayed long, fluid phrases and very delicate staccato eighth notes. Playing several different styles, he told the audience "to hear the sound and the proper style before you play."
The second student played a movement of Torelli's Concerto in D, and this gave Henry an opportunity to perform on his Stomvi piccolo with the wooden bell. This instrument has a lovely, delicate sound and is not at all dead-sounding as one might have expected. Giving this student phrasing advice, Henry cautioned to play eighth notes within a context of the musical phrase and never as separate notes.
As we discovered in this masterclass and in the previous night's recital in which Henry performed marvelously on the Arturian and Hayden concertos, Henry is another wonderful product of the French school. (Cliff Newton, Principal Trumpet, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra) |
