2015 Brazilian Trumpet Guild conference

Inspired by the International Trumpet Guild, a group of Brazilian trumpeters created the Associação Brasileira de Trompetistas – ABT (Brazilian Trumpet Guild) in 2007. Eight years and seven conferences later, ABT enjoys a growing interest from trumpet enthusiasts all over Brazil. ABT continues to captivate friends from all over the world as the international guests for conferences witness first hand ABT’s commitment to the development of all things trumpet related.

Previous international guests include names like Francisco Pacho Flores (Deutsch Gramophone), Charles Schlueter (former Boston Symphony), Mireia Farres (Barcelona Symohony), Yasec Manzano (Cuban Jazzman), Jorge Almeida (Sinfonica do Porto), Claudio Roditi (International Jazz Soloist), Ole Antonsen (International Soloist), Gabrieli Cassone (International Soloist), Adam Rapa, Rex Richardson (Yamaha Artist), Giulianno Sommerhalder (International Soloist) and Fernando Ciancio (Principal Teatro Colón). Brazliian artists such as Heinz Karl Schwebel, Silvério Pontes, Joatan Nascimento, Daniel Alcântara, Jessé Sadoc, Altair Martins, Flávio Gabriel and Fabio Brum have also been featured as main attractions of previous conferences. 

The 2015 conference was held in in the city of Sao Leopoldo, a small, colorful, historic town 23 miles far from Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul. From September 25 to 29 ABT’s seventh conference brought together trumpeters from all the country, joining international guests Pacho Flores (returning to ABT after the very first conference), Eric Berlin, Nadine Shank and Amik Guerra, with Ayrton Benck and Moisés Alves representing the Brazilian main guests. Each of the invited guests presented a masterclass and either a full recital, a show, or solo concert with orchestra. 

In addition to these events, all participants joined together to form two trumpet ensembles and a large trumpet ensemble to perform on the final day of the conference. The first group prepared Trumpet Salutations by McCoombes, Ewazen’s Prelude and FugueCanzon Septimi Toni 2 by Gabrieli, arr. by Ackley, No Forró de Zé Doidiça  by Rogério Borges. The other group tackled Price’s Bourbon Street Breakdown, Sonoran Desert Harmonies by Ewazen, Great American Fanfare by Byrd, and Heralding by Lo Presti.  Together, the groups performed an arrangement of Tchaikowski’s Overture Solennelle 1812, arranged by John Irish.

Opening the conference the UNISINOS orchestra accompanied Eric Berlin in the South American premiere of the Hause Trumpet Concerto. The orchestra also accompanied Pacho Flores, performing the Cimarosa Concerto plus Le Coucou by Cloude Danquin and Soledad by Efrain Oscher. This concert was repeated a couple of days later at the Cathedral in Porto Alegre. The beautiful venue only contributed to the extremely well received concert.

On the morning of the second day, the Porto Alegre Trumpet Ensemble played a concert featuring works by composers including Brandt, Morales, Tielman and Mouret. This concert served as a prelude to Cuban guest, Amik Guerra’s master class. Accompanied by a jazz trio, Guerra discussed important aspects concerning the connection of the Cuban traditional music and its influence on Latin jazz. To illustrate his point, Guerra performed several tunes highlighting his trumpeting, musicianship, and improvisation.

Following Guerra, the first “Prata da Casa” recital featuring only the foremost local players was presented. This concert gave participants an idea of the state of the art on trumpet performance in the hosting region. Daniela Garcia performed Otto Ketting’s Intrada, Elieser Ribeiro (1º trumpet of the Orquestra Sinfônica de Porto Alegre and former 2nd trumpet of Israel Philharmonic) performed Malcolm Arnold’s Fantasy for Trumpet, Jordelei dos Santos (substitute professor of trumpet at Universidade Federal de Santa Maria) played the Martinu Sonatine, Isaías Nowinski performed Brandt’s Concertpiece no. 2, Andrá Lacerda (trumpeter at Brazilian Navy Wind Symphony) played Anthony Plog’s Postcards, Tiago Linck (assistant 1st trumpet of Porto Alegre Symphony) played Charlier’s Dèuxieme Solo de Concours, and Isac Soares performed Jean Hubeau’s Sonata

Pacho Flores gave a masterclass later where he talked about the technical domain of the instrument as a means to an end; the end being playing more beautifully. Using a simple and direct approach, he worked with students on pieces including the Brandt Concertpiece and Ropartz’s Andante and Allegro.

Following Flores’ class, Brazilian jazz artist Moises Alves presented a concert of national standards. Moises plays 3rd assistant trumpet with the National Orchestra in Brasilia, but he equally active as a commercial and jazz player having accompanied many Brazilian pop artists. During his concert Alves invited Guerra on stage and together they brought the house down!

The third day started with a concert by Porto Alegre’s brass quintet, comprised of the principal brass of the Porto Alegre Symphony. They played some standards of the brass quintet repertoire plus two Brazilian pieces. 

Following the quintet’s concert, another trumpet recital by some great players from all over Brazil. While “Prata da Casa” showcased the local players from the hosting region, this recital featured players from other regions of the country. Amarildo Nascimento (Principal Trumpet of the University of São Paulo Symphony Orchestra and trumpet professor in Cantareira University) opened the recital with the Honneger Intrada, and Natanael Tomás da Silva (assistant 1st trumpet at Ribeirão Preto Symphony Orchestra) followed playing Legende by Enescu. Next, Thadeu J. Silva Filho (2013-2016 ABT President and member of the ITG Board of Directors) played the Concerto op. 41 by Goedicke. Amarildo returned on stage to premiere Abril Desconhecido, an unaccompanied piece written for him. Closing the recital Pedro Santos (Brassuka Brass Quintet) performed Someone to Watch Over Me.

The day closed with a concert at Café FonFon, a popular jazz club in town, where Amik Guerra played an evening concert. Small became cozy, and the friendly atmosphere so characteristic of all ABT’s Conferences took over.

The fourth day of the conference started with a recital by Pacho Flores in which he played seven different instruments (all 4 valve) for eight pieces, all performed by heart: Fuego de Mulata, 1969, Concert Etude, Piezas Andaluzas, Gipsy Airs, Solo de Concours, Caprice and the 2º mouvment of the Neruda Concerto, on a corno di caccia! This artist had to run off stage directly to the airport!

Eric Berlin gave a masterclass that day, translated by Heinz Karl Schwebel, where he shared in a clear and simple way interesting ideas and ways to practice and perform better. His influences by Charles Schlueter and Vince Penzarella were made evident as Eric showed expressed gratitude for those who helped him become the player he is today.

The late afternoon was reserved for the trumpet ensembles to perform at the local train station. A huge crowd gathered to listen to Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and other pieces. Support from the crowd helped inspire the participants.

Ayrton Benck, professor at Universidade Federal da Paraíba played his recital later in the night. It was his first appearance as an ABT guest. His repertoire included Enesco’s Legende, the Stephenson Sonata, McKee’s Centennial Horizon, Arban’s Variations sur la Cenerentola for which he used an old Conn Victor 80A Cornet, Mundy’s Elegy, and, joined by Eric Berlin, Valsa Verde by Capiba.

The following morning still had on reserve one class by Ayrton Benck and a recital by Eric Berlin. Benck emphasized the importance of the musical line and Berlin offered a trumpet-flugelhorn program. A very special note goes to pianist Nadine Shank. She was present in all and each recital, masterclass, show, concert and, of course, dinner! Her performance captivated everybody during her recital with Eric Berlin.

Several Brazilian makers of trumpets and trumpet accessories helped support the ABT conference. Rocha Cases, Weril Trumpets, Gott Vater mouthpieces all were present at the conference, and they are helping develop a strong and healthy business environment for Brazilian customers. ABT thanks them for the support. Adams trumpets was the single foreign maker attending this year’s conference, and organizers hope to attract more makers from outside Brazil in the future.

 ABT was again a celebrated opportunity for making new friends and strengthening old friendships. Maybe that atmosphere is what makes all our guests want to return. We look forward to having them back and having new guest try out the Brazilian way of organizing a trumpet hang!

 

Sources: Heinz Karl Schwebel, Universidade Federal da Bahia Diretor da Escola de Música, 1st trumpet in Orquestra Sinfônica da Bahia, Bahia, BRAZIL; and Thadeu J. Silva Filho, Associaçaõ Brasileira de Trompetistas Presidente and ITG Board of Directors, Brasília, BRAZIL

 

 

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