Thomas Stevens Trumpet Sonatas

Paul Hindemith (Composer), Eugene Bozza (Composer), Joseph Guy Ropartz (Composer), J. Ed Barat (Composer), Francis Poulenc (Composer), David Borden (Composer), Robert [4] Hall Lewis (Composer), Zita Carno (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Zita Carno
• Composer: Paul Hindemith, Eugene Bozza, Joseph Guy Ropartz, J. Ed Barat, Francis Poulenc, et al.
• Audio CD (December 1, 1996)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Crystal Records
• ASIN: B000003J6Y
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #164,772 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Son (1939): Mit Kraft

2. Son (1939): Massig Bewegt

3. Son (1939): Trauermusik And Chorale

4. Caprice (1943)

5. Andante And Allegro (1906): Andante

6. Andante And Allegro (1906): Allegro

7. Andante And Scherzo (1934): Andante

8. Andante And Scherzo (1934): Scherzo

9. Lied (1976)

10. Badinage (1953)

11. Son (1924): Allegro Moderato

12. Son (1924): Andante

13. Son (1924): Rondeau

14. Six Dialogues (Ca 1958): Allegro

15. Six Dialogues (Ca 1958): Allegro

16. Six Dialogues (Ca 1958): Andante Un Poco Allegretto

17. Six Dialogues (Ca 1958): Con Giorralita

18. Six Dialogues (Ca 1958): Majestic

19. Six Dialogues (Ca 1958): Allegretto

20. Monophony VII (1972): Unaccompanied Tpt

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stevens shows his music, July 4, 2007

By 

John A. Moskal II (Carmel, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Thomas Stevens Trumpet Sonatas (Audio CD)

Thomas Stevens, now former principal trumpet of the LA Philharmonic, shows what it means to be a musician on this record. His playing shows the many sides of the 20th century trumpet and the skills that made him one of the nation's best trumpet players.

The CD opens with the Sonata for trumpet and piano by Paul Hindemith. I have many recordings of this piece (I think 5 last I checked) and this is the one I keep coming back to. The musicality, and more importantly here, the emotion is far more in command than anything else. Written after his escape to America at the beginning of WWII this piece is nothing if not an emotional bomb explosion against the Nazis. Stevens opens up with fire from the first note and never lets up. The second movement pokes fun, and finally in the third movement the soulful sorrow of tragedy comes through his gorgeous playing and leaves you crying at the end where "All little men must die." (written in the sheet music by Hindemith at that part)

Then are a number of other well known pieces such as the Bozza Caprice, Barat's Andante and Scherzo, and Ropartz's Andante and Allegro. For younger trumpet players, this is the CD for you. Steven's performance of the Andante and Allegro is masterful and musicality shines through every note. This is a great learning tool for any young trumpet player as just about every high school trumpet player has played this piece, but rarely does one ever hear a performer of the caliber of Thomas Stevens playing this literature. Then there is his technically amazing performances of both the Caprice and the Andante and Scherzo which, in spite of their technique never lose the musicality that he was famous for as an orchestral trumpet player.

One last highlight for me is the Poulenc sonata for Trombone, Trumpet, and Horn. These three musicians unite in a gorgeous sound and interpretation that shows the beauty of Poulenc's writing particularly his expertise in the flowing melody shown in his many operas and art songs for which he is most famous.

Succinctly this CD is a gem for any trumpet player or enthusiast's collection. For those even just interested in the chamber sound of a trumpet, this album is a wonderful addition, however, if one is new to the 20th century trumpet chamber sound, I would recommend this as a great second or third album to pick up; but a mere literature selection advice on my part. One might consider Philip Smith's CD on the Cala label, part of the New York Legends series as a first installment for a better introduction to this class of sound (see my other reviews for more information).

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great help, November 20, 2010

By 

Becky "op_ccc" (Illinois) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Thomas Stevens Trumpet Sonatas (Audio CD)

I bought this CD because I was learning Hindemith's Sonate on my trumpet. It was a great help to listen to a great trumpet player play it and I enjoyed the other songs, too, even though I've never learned them myself.

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Trumpet Playing, October 8, 2011

By 

T. Knowlton - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Thomas Stevens Trumpet Sonatas (Audio CD)

First of all the Hindemith - the most famous trumpet work on the CD: I have heard a dozen or so recordings and I find this one to be my favorite. The balance between soloist and pianist is ideal, the style is weighty without being overbearing, the last movement is very mournful. Stevens tone has the perfect amount of richness and warmth. There is not one out-of-tune note on this disc. His interpretations are not just that of a fine trumpeter, but, like Gerard Schwarz, they are the interpretations of a profound musician. The Ropartz first movement melts, the second movement leaps. The Andante and Scherzo of Barat is exceptional. I am clearly not a good writer but I will tell you that I think this might very well be the best disc of classical trumpet playing that there is. Thomas Stevens playing is perfect and I don't say it lightly.