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Recital: Paul Merkelo, Trumpet Gary Mortenson, Reporter Merkelo began his recital with Proclamation by Ernest Bloch. This work, filled with intensity and emotion, is fraught with difficulty requiring endurance and accuracy. Merkelo handled the piece beautifully interpreting every nuance and gesture with ease. Tarantella, by David Liptak is from a concerto written for Merkelo and added a lively element to the program. After the intensity of the Bloch, the Liptak was a masterful piece of programming. This sense of variety continued with Habanera by Maurice Ravel. A lively selection full of energy and vitality, Merkelo handled the technical demands effortlessly. Lullaby by Richard Strauss (transcribed by Merkelo) changed the pace and feel of the recital yet again. Merkelo’s tone and phrasing in the lyrical presentation of this work’s melodies was a joy to all in attendance. The first half closed with In the Style of Albertiz by Radion Schedarin. The remainder of the recital flowed with the same kind of beauty and variety the audience came to appreciate in the first half. Merkelo performed works by Shostakovich, Enesco (Legend was performed repeatedly on solo recitals throughout the conference), Mahler (his own transcription), and Tartini. Folk Festival from The Gadfly by Shostakovich opened the second half in an entirely different vein from the Bloch in the first half. The goal was fun instead of intensity, speed instead of power, and a light step instead of deep emotions. After a long and challenging recital, Merkelo performed the Tartini Concerto in D Major to end the program. His accuracy, endurance, ornaments, and sense of rhythmic flow was a joy as the standard three-movement formal structure unfolded. Merkelo was accompanied by Louise Andre Baril on piano. Baril did a masterful job from start to finish. Paul Merkelo is an exceptional trumpet player. His maturity comes through not only in his playing, but also in his programming, pacing, and sense of musical integrity. |
Trumpet Prelude
(click here for review) Ithaca Youth Trumpet Troupe Toccata (2001)*............................................... William Cowdery Finale from Suite for Five Trumpets.................... Ronald Lo Presti Prelude and Fugue for Trumpet Choir.............................. Eric Ewazen Jane F. Dunnick, Director Members Adrienne Clermont, Andrew Dawson, Rebecca Graham Jeremy Hilliker, Abigail Hinchcliff, Danielle Koplinka-Loehr Peter Speh, Michael Tilton
Program Tarantella.......................................................... David Liptak INTERMISSION Folk Festival..................... Dmitri Shostakovich/arr. E. Lagace Legend .................................................................... Georges Enesco Songs of a Wayfarer.......................... Gustav Mahler/trans. Merkelo Concerto in D Major....................................... Giussepi Tartini |
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serves on the faculty of McGill University. He has soloed with many orchestras throughout the world, and recently released his first solo recording A Simple Song on the Amberola Records label.