Arutiunian, Weinberg & Shostakovich: Trumpet Concertos

“… a worthwhile exploration of one of music’s lesser-heard solo instruments.”

“Paul Merkelo’s nicely programmed album is a tribute to the great Ukrainian-born trumpet virtuoso Timofei Dokschitzer...Dokschitzer expanded the solo trumpet repertoire immeasurably by dint of championing, commissioning and arranging, so it is fitting that an example of each is featured, especially as none of Dokschitzer’s recordings of them are currently available…”

“… Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 1 is included – despite its prominent trumpet part, it is essentially a keyboard concerto. Nevertheless, it receives a lively performance here, as do the pieces which will be (to most listeners) far less familiar The trumpet has had many concertos written for it by composers from the Soviet era and beyond…”

Nominee in the Concerto category

“… highly enjoyable programme. Paul Merkelo’s very tuneful playing makes the most of some brilliant writing for his instrument, and his embellishments in the Shostakovich concerto add interest to the work. South-Korean pianist Jae-Hyuck Cho does a fine job in that concerto and the orchestra in general supports the soloists very well. Conductor Hans Graf keeps things on an even keel. The trumpet, though it has a reasonable repertoire, thanks in many cases to Timofei Dokshizer, is not often given the chance to show its abilities, so a disc like this is to be welcomed…”

“… the program begins with Arutiunian’s Trumpet Concerto, presented in a splendid recording. Merkelo’s playing is light, supple, and cantabile, Hans Graf conducts with great inspiration, and the orchestra makes its part sound very colorful and finely differentiated… In this work [Weinberg’s Trumpet Concerto], too, the lightness of the music is remarkable… For Shostakovich’s Concerto No. 1 op. 35 for piano, trumpet and strings Merkelo uses a new version with an extended trumpet part... The first movement sounds extremely light, buoyant and playful, while the second is cantabile and excitingly atmospheric. The short intermezzo leads to the humorous finale whose caricatural high-spirited character is fully palpable.”  *****