22-23 Program Book - Flipbook - Page 67
Trumpet Concerto (1950)
ALEXANDER ARUTIUNIAN
(September 23, 1920-March 28, 2012)
Born in Yerevan, First Republic of Armenia, Arutiunian showed early
musical talent, entering the Yerevan State Conservatory at age 7. He
moved to Moscow after World War II to receive more musical training and
eventually returned to Yerevan in 1954. He composed a few stage works
and vocal pieces but is known for his orchestral and chamber works,
especially those featuring brass instruments. His Trumpet Concerto from
1950 is arguably his best known work. His musical style contains many
allusions to historical events combined with folk elements, which have
increased its appeal and won him much recognition.
The concerto is a single-movement work with seven major sections. The
melodic and rhythmic characteristics of Armenian folk music are present,
but all of the melodies contained in the trumpet concerto are original, i.e.,
no borrowed folk tunes. It begins with dramatic string tremolos that lead
to a flashy cadenza, setting the stage for the excitement to follow. The
full orchestra launches the first theme, a heroic melody for the trumpet. It
eventually gives way to a contrasting, passionate and lyrical second theme
that is that reminiscent of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherezade.
The soloist and orchestra combine to give this passion a full voice with
short solos passed around the winds as the music slows. Motives from the
first theme then rise from the depths, gradually combining with the second
theme, and finally leading to a huge climax that releases to a quieter version
of the introduction. This brings the music to the most unique part of the
concerto — a soft but no less intense section that features a new theme
with the soloist playing muted trumpet. This mysterious effect continues
as the music reaches its calmest point.
After a brief orchestral interlude, motives from the first theme return,
gradually increasing in volume and intensity to re-introduce the soloist and
a reprise of the first section. Next is another amazing cadenza, and the
concerto ends as it began—the cadenza peaks and the piece ends with
a final dramatic cadence, reinforced by the full orchestra. With its overt
expression and flashy technical passages, it is easy to see why this concerto
is one of the most popular staples of the trumpet concert repertoire.
CLASSICAL SERIES: DVORAK'S NEW WORLD
Arutiunian began his trumpet concerto in 1943, which was intended for
Zsolak Vartasarian, the principal trumpet in the Armenian Philharmonic
Orchestra. Sadly, Vartasarian died in the war, and the concerto was not
completed until 1950. Aykaz Messlayan was the first performer of the
concerto, and Timofei Dokschitzer was the first to record it. Dokschitzer’s
numerous performances made the work famous worldwide.
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