Customer Reviews

Caprice - Alison Balsom

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

You know a recording gets 5 stars when you find yourself playing it at every opportunity and that is the case here. I was favorably impressed with Ms Balsom's Bach album but I am really in love with this one. The reason is the variety of voice that she brings to the music. From a brassy brazen sound to deep, rich, dark tone to a string singing sound, she employs whatever is appropriate to the music. The choice of music ranges widely and is not composed of all too familiar workhorses. You may not like all the transciptions equally - I didn't - but she brings to each clarity of technique and real commitment to the content. The Gothenburg group is a good band that helps out effectively and the recorded sound is clear and defined. This is just a well produced project.

I played trumpet in high school in college decades ago but I think comparisons of Alison Balsom's playing to that of Wynton Marsalis or Maurice Andre are beside the point. The point is that in front of us is a musical treasure to savor over and over again. On the strength of this recital, I will buy more of her recordings and I would look forward to hearing her in concert if every the opportunity arose.

Titling a collection of works CAPRICE ('a disposition to do things impulsively') is entirely in keeping with the magnetism and flair of the talented, beautiful, and intensely musical trumpeter Alison Balsom. For this listener the introduction to Miss Balsom was a recent Los Angeles Philharmonic performance of contemporary works, the one being played by Miss Balsom was the exceedingly beautiful and treacherously difficult Bernd Alois Zimmermann 'Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra: Nobody knows the trouble I see'. Witnessing the live performance of this gifted lass resulted in the immediate purchase of her recordings.

CAPRICE is a terrific collection of works arranged for trumpet and while such collections don't appeal on every level, for this recording Balsom makes it work. She is equally at home with Bach (of course), Mozart, and Paganini as she is with Debussy, Rachmaninov, de Falla, the infectious Piazzolla, Lindberg, and Tomasi. It is a varied recital, ably assisted by Edward Gardner conducting the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, and while not every 'transcription' feels right, the performances ring with an authenticity because of Balsom's assured technique.

With the technical skill Balsom possesses and the flair for interaction with not only the orchestra but also with the audience it seems obvious that she is secure on the ladder of success. She is an intelligent musician and a dazzling spirit! Grady Harp, January 08

I became a fan of Alison Balsom after hearing her exceptional Bach CD. I've since purchased her debut disc and was equally impressed. So it goes without saying that I've been eagerly awaiting the release of "Caprice" since I'd heard it was coming out. She most certainly delivered, both in her playing and in Julian Milone's excellent arranging that compliments her wonderfully.

Ms. Balsom plays each and every track on this CD with a wonderful sound and exquisite musicianship. Mozart transcribed for trumpet has always struck me the wrong way (despite being a trumpet player myself), but her arrangements of "Rondo alla Turca" and "Der Hölle Rache" (from Mozart's "The Magic Flute") were both interpretively correct and a delight to listen to. Debussy's "Syrinx," originally a piece for solo flute, is also marvelously played; with Ms. Balsom imitating the phrasing and articulation of a flautist very well. Her playing of Oskar Lindberg's "Andante" from "Gammal fäbodpsalm från Dalarna" was very emotionally evocative, and it's made even better by Ms. Balsom's sweet, luscious, captivating sound. The solo performance of Niccolò Paganini's "Caprice No. 24" (a piece that's difficult on violin, let alone the trumpet) is positively virtuosic, with every intervallic leap executed both flawlessly and musically.

But trumpet players, fear not! There is some more "traditional" trumpet repertoire on this disc. Jean-Baptiste Arban's "Variations on 'Casta Diva'" is executed in a fashion comparable to one of her teachers, Håkan Hardenberger. Furthermore, one would never know the piece was performed on C trumpet and not a more authentic cornet without reading the accompanying credits. The "Nocturne" from Henri Tomasi's "Concerto for Trumpet" is also played very well, but I would have preferred to hear the concerto in it's entirety. This is really the only negative point I have on the disc.

However, I was most excited about hearing her perform Manuel de Falla's "7 Popular Spanish Songs." I had listened to Ms. Balsom play this particular piece live in a recital accompanied by piano, and was positively mesmerized. Hearing her performance of the piece with orchestra was equally mesmerizing, if not moreso.

Since I first purchased her Bach disc, it's been nearly impossible for a passenger to sit in my car and not hear an Alison Balsom CD being played. She's not only one of my favorite recording artists, but is a model for my own trumpet playing. It's safe to say that I (and my passengers!) will be eagerly awaiting Ms. Balsom's next CD.

Do yourself a favor and ignore the crusty Editorial Review. Instead, just go to YouTube and listen for yourself. My favorite comment (from user zancluscornutus), "Si los angeles tocaran trompeta, asi es como sonaria." Trans - "If the angels played trumpet, this is how it would sound." I could not agree more.

A view which praises with-faint-damn - is too reminiscent of days in academia, and causes me to compose my first Amazon comment. On to Ms. Balsom (from a one who won a 'Silver Bugle(tm)' at a military academy / 8th grade (!) and went on with cornet/trumpet, for many decades since.)

I have heard Nakariakov live, met the miraculous man - he is my Trumpet-God! (among demi-Gods like, newly: Ms. Balsom.) But *critical* comparison of 'technique?' is utterly inappropriate, once within or beyond that sublime level of virtuosity which includes Wynton M., earlier - Gerard Schwartz and.. the precious few.

If you love music, especially brass / are still susceptible of wonderful Goose-bumps: you will not be disappointed in the divine Alison and 'Caprice'. IMHO Her pianissimo in *all* registers is second to none, her intonation flawless and her playing: Sublimely musical, in all senses of that vague but large word. Note that most selections are played on a C trumpet (same key as piano) - a bit different effect from B-flat, for those afflicted with perfect pitch.

Bon appetit - be grateful that, amidst the external absurdities of this particular time - Love expressed in sound remains amongst us. And we can afford, ene, to "buy it"! Sorta

Fans of the classical trumpet will find a large repertoire from the Baroque era and a few major concertos from the Classical period (Haydn, Hummel), but very little written for trumpet from the Romantic period and thereafter. To remedy this problem, virtuoso trumpeters of the past, such as Jean-Baptiste Arban and Rafael Mendez, transcribed pieces not originally written for the trumpet. On this CD, Alison Balsom follows in this time-honored tradition, making available transcriptions that supplement the regular trumpet repertoire. Only one selection comes from the Baroque period, not one that was originally written for trumpet, but a transcription of the second movement of Bach's first Violin Concerto. Mozart provides two selections from the Classical period, but most of the selections come from the Romantic era (Paganini, Bellini, Debussy, Rachmaninov, de Falla, Lindberg) or the 20th century (Tomasi, Piazzolla). Any trumpet fan who has wished to hear something a little more modern than a Baroque trumpet concerto will be grateful for this CD.

Only one of these selections, the second movement of Tomasi's trumpet concerto, was originally written for trumpet. The rest are transcriptions made by either Julian Milone or Balsom herself. All are well done.

Balsom gives a highly satisfying and enjoyable performance of these selections. She is a virtuoso trumpeter of the highest caliber. Her technique, tone, and musicality leave nothing to be desired. For most of the selections, she plays a C trumpet, though for two pieces she uses an E flat trumpet and for two others a piccolo trumpet. The Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra provides admirable support.

Alison is probably World's current best trumpet soloist. She makes me shiver just as Maurice André did when I went to one of his concerts, almost 40 years ago.
Good girl, Alison, wonderful soloist, I love your music.

Originally I had bought this CD for a friend who plays the trumpet. I had gone on to Amazon looking for a trumpet player so I could buy him something for Christmas. When I heard this CD I was blown away with by her. I had not heard of a female recording artist of the trumpet before. I am not a big fan of the trumpet and so this Cd was doubly amazing to me. She is so talented that is truly wonderful to hear. The music is just incredible. I had to buy one for myself. Also my friend the trumpet player thinks she is really incredible too and since he is the one who understands the mechanics of the trumpet and she impressed him, well this is might be something to buy for a true musician as well. All I can say is she has made me a fan of the trumpet now. I went on You Tube and watched her play and was still impressed. buy this CD and you won't be disappointed.

I heard this on a local PBS station and had to have it! Ms. Balsom is amazing!

I'd like to encourage anyone to try this cd, it's my favorite cd that I've owned. I like many genres of music, especially classical with its wide range of "musical colors" without words getting in the way. Classical is truly the most widely expressive in my opinion. This cd by Alison Balsom is most incredible to me each time I play it. Words aren't enough to describe it, you have to experience it. If I had to pick one word, it would be "sublime!"