ITG News from the Trumpet World

On November 29th, ITG member Jeffrey Work gave the first performance of a new orchestral version of Eric Ewazen's Quintet for Trumpet and Strings (1990) with the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra of Boston, Giséle Ben-Dor, conducting. Chris Gekker originally commissioned the work and was its dedicatee. He gave its world premiere at the 1990 ITG convention and also made the work's first recording in 1993 on the CD entitled Chamber Music of Eric Ewazen. (Well Tempered Productions, WTP 5172) The composer has become widely known among brass players, particularly through the popularity of his brass quintets Colchester Fantasy and Frost Fire as well as his increasingly diverse catalogue of chamber music for brass instruments in mixed ensembles.

The new version will be published as Concerto for Trumpet and String Orchestra and contains notable changes from the original version. In addition to writing a double bass part, the composer has lightened the soloist's workload slightly, in accordance with the suggestions of many of the trumpeters who have already played the piece. These changes, as well as a substantial revision of the trumpet part's articulation marks, were made through close collaboration between composer and soloist in advance of the Boston performance. Says Work, "The result is a quite playable, very programmable, and thoroughly beautiful addition to our concerto repertoire."

Source: Jeffrey Work