Arias for Soprano and Trumpet

NI5123

£14.99

Details

The arresting sound of the trumpet fanfare was frequently used in the late 16th and early 17th centuries to summon the attention of the audience at the beginning of spectacular dramatic productions. Traditionally, players were left to improvise, but in 1607 Monteverdi chose instead to write his own toccatato open “Orfeo”, and the prominent role which he gave the trumpet soon became a feature of introductions to Italian opera.

Reviews

This disc, recorded in 1988, was intended to showcase the trumpet playing of John Wallace. He plays on a modern instrument with the Philharmonia Orchestra accompanying. We don't get period performance, but we do get some extremely stylish playing. And some superb trumpet playing. What they are capable of is indicated by the opening Battaglia and Marcia from Handel's Rinaldo. This is followed by the overture from Scarlatti's Il prigionier fortunato which uses four trumpets to quite brilliant effect.

Robert Hugill