Customer Reviews

Carnaval

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4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
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Any review of this recording is an understatement--it must be heard to be appreciated. After listening to it, there can be no question as to Wynton Marsalis' technical and overall mastery of his instrument. Even the beautiful selections--from traditionals to Rimsky-Korsakov's ubiquitous Flight of the Bumblebee-- take a back seat to Marsalis' flawless playing. What this boils down to is another collection of master works to add to Marsalis' long list.

Marsalis is indeed an amazing player with a superd technique. The showpieces (e.g. the Bumble Bee, the Arban Variations) are simply dazzling. Wynton's command of the high range is also spectacular, listen to the high F at the end of the Carnaval of Venice, or the Clarke piece. This disc is not merely a showcase for technique, some touching lyrical pieces are included. You may fall in love with the Motherless Child song after just a few bars.

This is a tastefully balanced programme with one of the best brass performers of our time displaying both his amazing skill and wide range of musical expressions.

Wynton Marsalis is widely -- and justifiably -- regarded as an outstanding trumpeter in both jazz and classical music. However, for this CD, he correctly switches to the cornet. The cornet is a very close cousin of the trumpet, but is a more mellow instrument. When the music presented on this CD was first popular, the mellow cornet was the preferred solo instrument with trumpets consigned to the accompanying band. Rest assurred that Marsalis is as spectacular playing the cornet as he is playing trumpet. The first track on this CD amply demonstrates Marsalis' incredible virtuosity, including a spectacular passage where he seems to be playing two instruments simultaneosly. If you like this repetoire, you'll never hear it played better than on this CD. If you're a Marsalis fan but don't think that this is your kind of music, please give this CD a try anyway -- I think you'll love it. It's that good.

Wynton Marsalis is perfect in his performance of some of the most difficult music ever written for trumpet. (and violin for that matter, Paganini's "Moto Perpetuo, Opus 11") I brought this record to my high school on day, when I told the other students it was a classical CD I recieved very little interest. However, when I went to my band director's office and turned up "Carnival Of Venise" they all flocked to the sound. By the third movement not a person had neglected to ask where I got the CD or if I could make them a tape. From well known opera to traditional spirituals Marsalis lends his perfect tone and unmistakable influence to a truly unforgetable recording.

Marsalis is an excellent trumpet player, there is no question as to that. He is certainly not the best in the world, however. I prefer a better recording of Carnival of Venice and many other cornet solos by Gerard Schwarz. The spirit of such solos is lost when they are put to ensemble accompaniment, Schwarz interprets them far better in my opinion. Also, his technical mastery is at least equal to that of Wynton's, or was when he made the album. His sound is sweeter and more perfect to my ear. And this is not the only album in which you can hear dazzling technical pieces, either. Sergei Nakariakov, Rafael Mendez, and Allen Vizzutti are the most proficient players with recordings out there. Nakariakov and Mendez both do better readings of the Paganini, playing the entire song double-tonguing and circular breathing. The Mendez Flight of the Bumblebee has a much better sound and fits the piece more, too. The most amazing song I have ever heard is the Carnival of Venus, by Vizzutti. Listen to anything by Wynton and then this song, you will be absolutely amazed. The last variation of the Marsalis is Vizzutti's first, and they get harder from there. Simply put, this is a good recording and the most accessible, but there are better ones out there. I wouldn't buy this to hear cornet solos or amazing technical pieces, but for hearing other interpretations. I prefer Schwarz, Mendez, Vizzutti, and Nakariakov.

When I started the trumpet in the 5th grade, this was the ONLY recording of a trumpet soloist that I had at the time. I still listen to this TAPE (yes, some of us still have tape players) and try to match tone quality and style. His playing sounds so effortless, yet they are some of the more difficult pieces for trumpet. What is more amazing is his switch between his classical and jazz playing but still attaining perfect styles for which he is performing. Great player and recording.

This CD exhibits every aspect of virtuoso trumpet at its peak. It even includes a four minute plus version of circular breathing that is a breathtaker. I have played brass for 70 years in all sorts of bands and orchestras and have never heard anything exceed this set.

This outstanding collection of turn-of-the-last-century cornet solos is a collector's item. Mr. Marsalis (and the ensemble) makes it all sound so easy and enjoyable. As an instrumental music teacher I find hearing these inspires many of my high school high brass players to work on them.

As a trumpet player I was totally gassed when I heard Wynton's total mastery of not only the technical demands of these pieces, but also the beautiful melodic character of the cornet. Later, I had the opportunity to see him in concert with the Eastman Wind Ensemble performing these pieces. If possible, I was even more impressed. He was as perfect live as he was on the recording!

As a trumpeter, I can't express how technically amazing Wynton's playing is on this recording. Backed by the Eastman Wind Ensemble, Mr. Marsalis tackles the most difficult music ever written for cornet. The result is remarkable. He makes these pieces sound easy. Especially outstanding is Paganini's "Moto Perpetuo", written for violin. Wynton uses circular breathing for four and a half minutes as he pounds out this piece. Wonderful recording!