| Jeffrey Work premieres James M. Stephenson’s Concerto for Trumpet: second performance July 2005 | February 20, 2005  |
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Concerto for Trumpet by James M. Stephenson received its world premiere on November 30, 2003. ITG member Jeffrey Work appeared as soloist with the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra of Boston under its Music Director, Isaiah Jackson. The orchestra, whose programming history in recent years also includes the premieres of Ruth Loman’s Odyssey-Trumpet Concerto and Eric Ewazen's Concerto for Trumpet and String Orchestra (see ITG Journal, Feb. 1999, p. 67), commissioned the full-length work with substantial financial support from the Charles Schlueter Foundation. The Boston Globe, the Boston Herald, and the Bay State Banner all referred to the work in glowing terms, mirroring the highly positive audience response. The Globe reported, "Rather than a showpiece-and-that's-all, Stephenson has given us a pair of big, skillfully composed movements that cover a wide stylistic and emotional range ... seamlessly arranged and with nary a cliché in sight." The Herald stated, "... the concerto is filled with straightforward, unashamedly beautiful sounds ..." suggesting that "Stephenson's concerto deserves to be heard again and again." The Banner's praise echoed the others, calling the concerto "a splendid addition to the repertory." Stephenson, himself an ITG member, continues to develop a strong reputation as a composer for his instrument. His Sonata for Trumpet and Piano has already received two professional recordings since its composition in 2001, most recently by its dedicatee, Richard Stoelzel (available on Stoelzel’s Albany Records CD entitled "Born To Be Mild") The 21-minute-long, two-movement Concerto for Trumpet features both eloquent lyricism and virtuosic display, written in a tonal harmonic language. The soloist - to whom the concerto is dedicated - adds, "This wonderful new piece, along with his sonata, is establishing Jim Stephenson as a composer of note in the trumpet world – one who writes engaging, beautiful, and satisfying music." While Stephenson composed the work for chamber orchestra, he allows the possibility of using a full sized string section as well. In addition to the solo trumpet, the score calls for one flute, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, two horns, one trumpet, timpani and strings.
Second and third performances now scheduled Anyone with some knowledge of contemporary music will know that although getting a new work to the concert hall in the first place is quite an accomplishment, getting it to be performed any more after that can be really very difficult. It must therefore be a great pleasure to Stephenson and all involved that this concerto now has its second and third performances scheduled. The second performance takes place on Thursday, June 16 at the Southern Illinois Music Festival with soloist Robert Allison and the Festival Orchestra: details from the website linked below. On 2nd July Kirk Trevor will conduct the Missouri Symphony Orchestra in the concerto’s third performance, again with original soloist and dedicatee Jeffrey Work: please see the linked MSO website for more. (Editor)
Websites:
Updated 12th May 2005 to add another performance.
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