Trumpet and Piano

Many of the best teachers consider vocalises essential for teaching and learning a singing tone quality in addition to range, ornamentation, and most importantly, style. Each of these vocalises is by its nature – and title – an etude. Do not be turned off by the pedagogical nature. They are meant to be studied as well as performed. Much like the Chopin piano etudes, these pieces are full of great music, and were written with public performance in mind. Also of note is that all thirty of these vocalises are by French composers, so this is a wonderful resource with which to learn the French style of performance. I hope you enjoy these thirty vocalise-etudes as music as I have. They are a pure delight to learn and perform. Happy practicing!

– Dr. Robert Benton (Arranger/Editor)

with Piano; 3 movements; Cornet, Flugelhorn and Piccolo preferred

One of Mahler's favorite books was collection of German folk poetry entitle Das Knaben Wunderhorn.  He set a number of these poems to music for solo voice and piano, which he later scored for orchestra.  Inspired by these poems, he wrote his own poetry which formed the lyrics of "Songs of a Wayfarer", which he also set to music.  These two song cycles have become some of his most beloved compositions, and among his most frequently performed works.  This setting for trumpet and piano, soon to be scored for trumpet and band, captures the whimsical nature of German folk song, although the themes are original by Mahler.  The composer later incorporated some of these melodies into his orchestral works.  At the request of Dr. Mark Ponzo, my colleague from Northern Illinois University, I selected three leider from these two song cycles to be scored for trumpet.  As I reflected upon the beautiful melodies, I was inspired to utilize both the lyrical and technical nature of the trumpet to convey Mahler's ideas, while expanding upon them as well.  

I. Ging Heut Morgen Übers Feld

(Went This Morning Over the Field)

from "Songs of the Wayfarer" 

II. Die Zwei Blauen Augen

(The Two Blue Eyes of My Darling)

from "Songs of the Wayfarer"

III. Wer Hat Dies Liedel Erdacht

(Up there on the Hill)

from "Des Knaben Wunderhorn" 

Recording is of the Trumpet and Concert Band version

with Piano

from Tosca

First performance: 14 January 1900, Roma (Teatro dell’ Opera)

Tosca is considered Puccini's most dramatic opera, full of twists and turns that keep the audience in constant tension. The musical discourse evolves just as quickly, characterized by short, sharp thematic passages, often built on dissonant harmonies. The plot revolves around the singer Floriana Tosca, who is madly in love with her man, and will dramatically be the protagonist in various phases of the opera.

with Piano

from “La Fanciulla del West”

First performance: 25 April 1926, Milano (Teatro alla Scala)

The father's warning was of no use, nor were the sarcastic remarks of Ping, Pong, and Pang; the prince is completely captivated by Turandot's charm and thinks of nothing but overcoming the challenge of the riddles. The slave Liù, terrified, makes one last and moving plea to him (Signore, ascolta!): she asks him to have pity on her father and also on her, as they cannot bear the thought of him dying.

with Piano

Salamander portrays to mythical qualities of the salamander. In the piece, several musical ideas are reborn in different ways, before a return to the original, funky groove.

Commissioned by Sergio Carolino, Salamander is available for tuba, trumpet, euphonium or horn and piano.

with Piano

from "Turandot"

First performance: 25 April 1926, Milano (Teatro alla Scala)  

The father's warning was of no use, nor were the sarcastic remarks of Ping, Pong, and Pang; the prince is completely captivated by Turandot's charm and thinks of nothing but overcoming the challenge of the riddles. The slave Liù, terrified, makes one last and moving plea to him (Signore, ascolta!): she asks him to have pity on her father and also on her, as they cannot bear the thought of him dying.