Joseph Haydn; Johann Nepomuk Hummel - Trumpet Concertos (Alison Balsom)

Information

Composer: Johann Nepomuk Hummel; Joseph Haydn; Giuseppe Torelli; Johann Baptist Georg Neruda

1. Hummel - Trumpet Concerto in E flat major, S. 49: I. Allegro con spirito
2. Hummel - Trumpet Concerto in E flat major, S. 49: II. Andante
3. Hummel - Trumpet Concerto in E flat major, S. 49: III. Rondo
4. Haydn - Trumpet Concerto in E flat major, Hob. VIIe/1: I. Allegro
5. Haydn - Trumpet Concerto in E flat major, Hob. VIIe/1: II. Andante
6. Haydn - Trumpet Concerto in E flat major, Hob. VIIe/1: III. Finale. Allegro
7. Torelli - Trumpet Concerto in D major "Estienne Roger 188": I. Allegro
8. Torelli - Trumpet Concerto in D major "Estienne Roger 188": II. Adagio - Presto - Allegro
9. Torelli - Trumpet Concerto in D major "Estienne Roger 188": III. Allegro
10. Neruda - Trumpet Concerto in E-flat major: I. Allegro
11. Neruda - Trumpet Concerto in E-flat major: II. Largo
12. Neruda - Trumpet Concerto in E-flat major: III. Vivace

Alison Balsom, trumpet
Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen

Date: 2008
Label: EMI

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Review

ARTISTIC QUALITY: 10 / SOUND QUALITY: 10

Trumpeter Alison Balsom's bold and brilliant playing engenders a fresh-eared listening of the warhorse Haydn and Hummel concertos. Balsom's robust phrasing combined with a confidence that never turns cocky reminds us of the trumpet's history in battle and regalia. But it's not all fanfare and bluster as Balsom produces beautiful, round tone throughout the range, even in the instrument's challenging low notes. There's also much warmth and feeling in her playing, very different from the the reserved cool of Wynton Marsalis in his debut recording featuring these same works. 

The program steps backward to the baroque era with the Torelli and Neruda concertos, both appealing works featuring masterful trumpet writing. Again, Balsom dispatches these with winning panache. The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen provides bracing and lively accompaniment under Thomas Klug's leadership, something you can easily hear as EMI's vivid recording places Balsom in a natural-sounding perspective with the orchestra. There's plenty to enjoy here--certainly for trumpet aficionados, but those who just enjoy great music making will be pleased as well. [10/28/2008]

--Victor Carr Jr., ClassicsToday

More reviews:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classRev/2009/Jan09/Balsom_2162130.htm
http://www.classicalsource.com/db_control/db_cd_review.php?id=6321
http://www.allmusic.com/album/haydn-hummel-trumpet-concertos-mw0001874782
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Haydn-Hummel-Concertos-Alison-Balsom/dp/B001B1R1EU
http://www.amazon.com/Trumpet-Concertos-Franz-Joseph-Haydn/dp/B001B1R1EU

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Joseph Haydn (31 March 1732 – 31 May 1809) was a prominent and prolific Austrian composer of the Classical period. He was instrumental in the development of chamber music such as the piano trio and his contributions to musical form have earned him the epithets "Father of the Symphony" and "Father of the String Quartet". Haydn's work was central to the development of what came to be called sonata form. At the time of his death, aged 77, he was one of the most celebrated composers in Europe. Haydn was a friend and mentor of Mozart, a teacher of Beethoven, and the older brother of composer Michael Haydn.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Haydn

***

Johann Nepomuk Hummel (14 November 1778 – 17 October 1837) was an Austrian composer and virtuoso pianist, whose music reflects the transition from the Classical to the Romantic musical era. Hummel was taught and housed by Mozart for two years, and later studied with Albrechtsberger, Haydn and Salieri. His main oeuvre is for the piano, on which instrument he was one of the great virtuosi of his day. Later 19th century pianistic technique was influenced by Hummel, through his instruction of Carl Czerny who later taught Liszt. Hummel's influence can also be seen in the early works of Chopin and Schumann.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Nepomuk_Hummel

***

Alison Balsom (born 7 October 1978 in Hertfordshire) is an English trumpet soloist, arranger, producer, music educator, curator and spokesperson for the importance of music education. She started her career in 2001 and released her debut album in 2002. Since then she recorded almost exclusively for EMI (now Warner Classics). Balsom was awarded Artist of the Year at the 2013 Gramophone Awards and has won three Classic BRIT Awards and three German Echo Awards. Balsom was also the principal trumpet of the London Chamber Orchestra. Her main trumpet is a Bob Malone-converted Bach C trumpet.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alison_Balsom

http://alisonbalsom.com/

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

FLAC, tracks

Links in comment

Enjoy!