2005 INTERNATIONAL TRUMPET GUILD® CONFERENCE
GRAND HOTEL BANGKOK, BANGKOK, THAILAND
TUESDAY – FRIDAY, JUNE 21 – 24, 2005

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Osamu Takahashi - principal trumpet, Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra
Kazuhiko Ichikawa - New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra
Akihiko Ikawa - NHK Symphony Orchestra Tokyo
Hiroki Tochimoto - NHK Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo
And Pianist Makoto Nakanishi

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Scott Brown, reporter

The music of Naohiro Tsuken was featured on this recital, and what wonderful music it was. The program opened with Capriccio for Five Trumpets. Playing on this piece with Tsuken was Osamu Takahashi, principal trumpet of the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, Kazuhiko Ichikawa of the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, Akihiko Ikawa of the NHK Symphony Orchestra of Tokyo, and Hiroki Tochimoto, of the NHK Symphony Orchestra of Tokyo. This piece opened with a brilliant fanfare that grabbed the audience’s attention and would not let go of it. The group played with poise and bravado. There were moments in this piece that reminded the listener of Flight of the Bumblebee. All of the artists displayed virtuosic technique that left the audience wanting more.

And they got it. The program continued with Fantasy for Trumpet and Piano performed by Tochimoto and pianist Makoto Nakanishi. The first half was a mix of lyrical trumpet playing with a beautiful piano accompaniment consisting of many rolled chords and a piano lead with the trumpet playing quicker arpeggiated lines in an accompanying style. Fantasy included playing at both ends of the sensitivity spectrum, and served as the perfect vehicle for Tochimoto to demonstrate his wonderful mix of power and sensitivity.

It is a good thing Osamu Takahashi was not paid by the note or ITG would be in serious financial trouble. His performance of Tsuken’s Trumpet Concerto was the highlight of this recital. His technical control of the instrument was nothing short of amazing. Takahashi’s articulation was crystal clear even at very fast tempos.

For the final piece on the program some faculty members of Mahidol University were employed. Playing on the septet The Salmon were Tsuken-trumpet, Juris Madrevics and Inga Causa-violin, Juckrit Charoensook-viola, Juris Lakutis-cello, Maris Arents-bass, and Nakanishi-piano. The Salmon featured solo playing that was distributed throughout the chamber group. Every part was given interesting lines with an abundance of playful interaction between the various combinations possible within the ensemble.

Tsuken’s music was received enthusiastically. As an encore the featured trumpeters on this session took the stage one more time playing a fiery rendition of Leroy Anderson’s Bugler’s Holiday.