Customer Reviews

Ceremonial Music for Trumpet & Symphonic Organ

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a beautifully performed CD of ceremonial music of the Christian tradition. While organist Michael Murray talks about the diversity of kinds of ceremonial music in the liner notes essay, the musical selection here is drawn from the Western Christian tradition with few exceptions.

Sometimes the music did not start out as ceremonial in nature - Murray points out that the 'Incidental Music for A Midsummer Night's Dream' is now considered traditional wedding-march music, whereas at one time it considered completely inappropriate.

Music is drawn from the past four hundred years - works of well-known composers such as Purcell, Handel, Schubert, Mendelssohn and Bach are collected here, together with lesser-known composers such as Paradis, Mouret, Charpentier, Clarke and Martini, famous and respected in their day, but less known as personalities now (although their music will undoubtedly sound very familiar to the listener with any exposure to Western music). The CD also includes a few pieces from modern composers such as the French Charles Gounod, the British Ralph Vaughan Williams, and the American Alan Hovhaness.

Organist Michael Murray and trumpeter Rolf Smedvig make a dynamic duo in this celebratory music. Murray plays the symphonic organ from the First United Methodist Church of Cleveland (I've been in that church for a concert, and it is grand indeed). Smedvig is a Grammy nominee for his work with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, serving on the faculty of Boston University and Tanglewood. Murray has had a worldwide career of recitals, being a frequent guest of orchestras, and often sought to inaugurate grand organs upon their installation.

This is a grand disc, a ceremony in sound, and a wonderful piece to have in one's collection.

This disc contains a nice selection of music appropriate for weddings and other liturgical occasions. Smedvig and Murray achieve a fine balance with a rich, full sound that is clear and warm, never harsh. Smedvig's trumpet playing demonstrates a wide range of timbres and styles: bright and energetic in the Mouret "Rondeau," glorious and majestic in Clarke's "Trumpet Voluntary," expressive and lyrical in the Bach-Gounod "Ave Maria," subdued and reverent in Hovhaness's "Prayer to St. Gregory." (He also has astounding breath control and trills that are to die for.) The only less-than-successful cut, I think, is the Mendelssohn "Wedding March," played at a plodding tempo, with the trumpet in such a low range that its brightness is muffled. Overall the disc is awe-inspiring and uplifting; I learn something every time I listen to it!

I come to this review with great heart-felt enthusiasm to nudge you a little to purchase this Stirring Album to feed your inner soul that is hungering for deeply moving music for trumpet and organ.

I purchased this album years ago, now, but do, in truth, come back to it very often for the soul stirring that only the trumpet can give you. While I (and probably many) normally do not think about the trumpet (or brass at all, for that matter) very much, it is, truly, lovely, filling sound that stirs one like no other type of instrument(s).

Soundwise, there is NO DOUBT that this fabulous disc is DEMONSTRATION-Quality...put it on your system and turn it up, and you will certainly agree with me on this point. And the acoustic is simply stunning...you'll see!

While this entire album is just superb, I want to be sure to point two things out to you.

The first is the Mouret "1st Suite in D" excerpt, more commonly known to most as the "theme" from Masterpiece Theater. Here, with this acoustic, simply stunning!

The second is the Deeply Moving Alan Hohvaness piece "The Prayer of St. Gregory". I defy one to find a more deeply reflective, moving, piece of music--anywhere. Simply touching, clear to the depths of your soul. Trust me.

A short story for those who may appreciate it. When I lived in Washington DC, I regularly went to the Sunday afternoon organ concerts at the National Cathedral. Of course, for those who know, you sit surrounded by the pipes (if you choose). In late summer of 2005 I was at one of these concerts, and to my delight, "Prayer of St. Gregory" was on the program. This has long been a very much-loved piece to me. Well, the trumpet soloist was located way up to the entrance, between the last pews. As the trumpet made its entrance in the piece, the sun hit the right position to strike the rose window, and it splayed its multi-colored bits all over the inside of the cathedral, increasing temporarily with the rising of the trumpet. I was moved to trembling with this, and after the concert, I spoke to a couple who had sat near me, and they said the same thing, in fact the lady said she had started to cry. When these things happen like this, does it not reaffirm our belief that there is, indeed, some higher being, who presents such great stirring beauty to us?

Do get yourself a copy of this stunning album, you will never regret it, I swear to you. ~operabruin

This album has its positive and negative aspects. The idea of an album containing some of the most oft-used music in weddings and other such ceremonies is a great idea and no doubt will be helpful to those planning their weddings. Mr. Murray's playing is outstanding. Mr. Smedvig is also an excellent player, but his interpretations have their drawbacks. Smedvig adds too many ornaments (extra notes) to the main melody lines. It reminds me of trumpet players I knew in high school who would add so many ornaments to music of this sort that the main melody line would become lost. That happens here - the large number of ornaments are detrimental to hearing what are of themselves beautiful musical lines. Moreover, it causes tempo discrepancies. The Mouret speeds up and slows down several times. The finest recording of the Mouret still has to belong to Gerard Schwarz, and it's a true shame that Schwarz didn't do more recording. If you want an album with a great deal of traditional wedding fare to help select music for a wedding trumpeter, this is a practical CD. For the music itself, better can be obtained.

A really fine blend of Brass and Organ music.As a brass musician it is very inspirational

I agree with the previous reviewer who loves the rendition of "Prayer of St Gregory" on this CD. It's like Smedvig is praying with his trumpet. The voicings are terrific, too. If I'm not mistaken, the final phrase is played by a French horn, not a trumpet. It is more muffled, distant, with a mellower tone. Almost like God is answering the prayer from far away (ie heaven). This piece of music really lends itself to the listener's imagination with regard to the topic of the prayer, the identity of the person praying, and the outcome of the prayer. This is one of my favorite CDs due to its inspirational quality. Unfortunately I lost the disc but kept the jewel case. Now I'm on Amazon to order a replacement.

If you are looking for a CD of general fare classical type music, this is a good one. It has a nice smattering of selections to choose from.

Good for a day when sitting at home reading and drinking tea.

Living in a region well known for its fine brass instrument musicians, the bride-to-be in our family was eager to find some suitable solo music for the wedding service. This CD provided many choices, all elegantly played with great feeling. Not only have we ample choices now, but we have also had many enjoyable hours of listening for sheer pleasure. The range is good, combining well-known favourites with others that we hadn't thought of. We appreciated the prompt delivery of the package in the post, too.

I was looking for ideas for music for my wedding last year and found this cd to be really helpful. If your looking for ideas and inspiration for marches and other tunes associated with wedding ceremonies look no further.

It is an excellent recording especially the 12 marches by Telemann.