ITG 2003 Festival of Trumpets Concert

Gary Dobbins and Gary Mortenson, reporters

St. Stephens Presbyterian Church was alive with the sounds of trumpet ensembles at 3:00 pm on Saturday, May 24th. The program opened with Entrance of the Queen of Sheba by G. F. Handel. This David Marlatt arrangement featured the talents of six US Air Force musicians, including Festival of Trumpets coordinator Bill Bjornes, Jr., and made use of piccolo, and B-flat trumpets, and flugelhorn. Secure playing in the appropriate Baroque style got the afternoon off to a fine start. (GM)

Triforium by Bernard Andre featured five trumpeters in a piece consisting of five short and diverse movements. The work was conducted by president elect Stephen Chenette. The movements ranged in style from fast moving odd and alternating meters, to lyrical playing using more conventional, straight forward meters. This piece covers a range of technical challenges while, at the same time, demands are made on the group requiring in-tune octaves sustained playing. A variety of mutes were utilized in this piece. (GD)

Kasper-Laurenz Märtig performed two solos from the Baroque era on piccolo trumpet. Composed by Marcello and Albinoni respectively, these solos were both titled Concerto in d minor, and were in the standard three-movement format. Guillermo Martinez did an admirable job providing the organ accompaniment. Märtig’s playing on both pieces was beautifully rendered in phrasing, response, intonation, style, and in his tasteful application of appropriate ornamentation. An impeccable performance of the highest level! (GM)

Fanfare and Fluctuations by Ron Matthews was written specifically for this, the 28th meeting of the International Trumpet Guild. It was performed by a select group of Trumpet Players International Network (TPIN) members, and was conducted by its founder, Michael Anderson. The piece opens with various tone clusters and builds to a much faster section using multiple tonguing. This section comes to a sudden stop before going to a muted undercurrent of ostinato notes which pass through the group while each player takes a turn at a solo of more sustained notes. A short bridge brings the piece back to a reprise of the quick and agitated tonguing section. (GD)

Rob Roy McGregor’s Essay for Six Trumpets provided the program with a tone-color piece that included ostinato-like passages with added counterpoint, and an interesting use of dynamics and mutes. Toward the end, McGregor’s effective use of chromaticism and a strong final chord, bring the work to its close. (GM)

Aria from Cantata 205 by J. S. Bach and arranged by David Baldwin is a very nice setting of a piece which seems tailor made for brass and organ. This arrangement calls for three trumpets (including one piccolo) and euphonium adding more depth and giving the work a more sonorous quality. (GD)

The second place winner of the 2003 ITG Composition Contest composed by Nicholas Lane was titled Nordic Suite. The work was performed by The Piney Woods Brass Quintet: Gary Wurtz and Roger Williams, trumpets; Charles Gavin, horn; Debra Scott, trombone; and Jeff Schultz, tuba. This tonal work featured homogeneous phrases in a fluid, graceful style. The quintet displayed exceptional sensitivity and balance. The last movement featured multiple tonguing in a tour de force of rhythmic drive and intensity. Nordic Suite is a work that many will want to take home and play with their local quintets. (GM)

Eligio by John McIntyre required the use of a variety of different trumpets (one piccolo, one E-flat, two C trumpets and four B-flat trumpets). The composer was in attendance to hear this piece originally written for the Texas Christian University Trumpet Ensemble. Entrances are staggered at the beginning but eventually come together for beautiful clusters of sound. There is a slower middle section. The cluster chords are often punctuated by muted and open solo interjections. This strong group of players gave this interesting work a fine reading. (GD)

Gordon Mathie’s arrangement of G.P. Telemann’s Concerto for Three Trumpets featured David Brown, Eric Knorr, and Jennifer Bales on piccolo trumpets. This work featured soaring lines shared by all three soloists whose uniformity in style, articulation, and balance was enjoyed by all in attendance. This arrangement and many others from the Baroque era are available from Gordon Mathie through his free lending library. (GM)

Segments by Fisher Tull received a great performance on the occasion of its 25th Anniversary. Fisher (Mickey) Tull was a talented and well-known Texas composer who left us with a tremendous assortment of literature for band and brass instruments. This is a multi - section work requiring the use of eight trumpets. It incorporates several techniques, different mutes for color variety, and is notable for its rhythmic inventiveness. Christopher Moore conducted this performance. (GD)

La Virgen de la Macarena arranged by David Marlatt featured ITG President Vincent DiMartino who blew the walls down with his Spanish flair both during the solo proper, and during several extended cadenzas. DiMartino’s solo work (with excellent accompaniment) gave the program just what it needed in terms of variety. (GM)

Laudate Peuri arranged by Thompson uses a large ensemble of eleven players of mostly B-flat and C trumpets with one E-flat. The piece seemed to be from the Renaissance era and, if this reporter is entitled to one less than positive opinion, it was a little too long and repetitive. The work was well played. (GD)