Kari Brooks, reporter

Many have influenced the trumpet and cornet world, but few have made such a mark as Jean-Baptiste Arban. Daniel Kelly's lecture recital reinforced this notion and also provided an opportunity to hear some of lesser-known Arban's solo works.

These solos were originally written for Arban's students to perform in annual contests. These Morceaus de Concours were composed to demonstrate and test extensive technique and musicality. Back in the days of Arban, students who played these solos with high quality were deemed worthy of immediate professional employment.

Kelly performed many of these pieces for those in attendance. They were unmistakably “Arban-like” in the theme and variation format and made consistent use multiple tonguing as was customary during this time and place. Kelly's warm tone and flying fingers made each passage sound as simple and easy as the last. One of the pieces Kelly performed, Variations Brillantes sur un Theme de Mercadante, was used to demonstrate the use of decorative staccato binaire.

Daniel Kelly's lecture recital offered a new glimpse into the history of Jean-Baptiste Arban and shed light on this body of significant cornet repertoire. For much more detailed information on this subject, see Kelly's article The Competition Solos of J. B. Arban on page 17 of the March, 2006 ITG Journal.