Birtwistle: Endless Parade

Philippe Schartz is one of the most exciting trumpeters about today. He has developed a highly successful career as an orchestral and chamber musician as well as a soloist. As Principal Trumpet of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, until summer 2002, and in his student days with the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra he has performed, to much critical acclaim, with conductors such as Claudio Abbado, Pierre Boulez and Bernard Haitink. His solo career includes many recitals and concertos all over Europe as well as four solo CD recordings.

In this contemporary programme, Schartz explores some of the most thrilling concertos in the trumpet repertoire in a combination of very different original compositions.

Birtwistle’s 1987 score energetic Endless Parade was composed following an encounter with a festive parade in the medieval Italian town of Lucca, and the various aural perspectives afforded by meeting the jostling procession at different junctures. Critic Rian Evans writes, ‘the exquisite poise that Birtwistle achieves was certainly realised... with Schartz’s brilliant playing rivalling that of its first executor, Hardenberger.’

In stark constrast Pietà by German composer Christian Jost emphasizes the different sound qualities of the trumpet. This is a strong link and stunning lament to the style of the late jazz trumpeter Chet Baker, and the work is dedicated to him. The 1938 Concerto Grosso No.1 by Kurt Roger is one of the earliest twentieth-century concertos, and a gem for the original trumpet repertoire. Both works receive their premiere recording. Concerto, by Aleksandr Arutiuinian, completes the programme, and is the most famous of all the music recorded. Schartz had the opportunity to study the concerto with Dokshitzer, who gave the first performance of ‘this wonderfully energetic and charismatic jewel of a trumpet concerto. It is the perfect showcase for my instrument and the music displays lyrical and technical prowess.’ Philippe Schartz

Philippe Schartz is accompanied by his own orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, under one of Netherland’s most active and energetic conductors, Jac van Steen.