Credits:

Paul Merkelo, Hans Graf, Russian National Orchestra.

Description:

Includes Dokszel's version of Shostakovich! A collection of heavyweight trumpet concertos by Paul MerkeloPaul Merkelo, principal of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra since 1995, makes his NAXOS debut with a heavyweight album. Merkelo aspired to become a professional player after hearing trumpet performances as a child. The performer who changed his life was the great Ukrainian trumpet player Timofey Dokhsel. This album, which includes three trumpet concertos composed during the Soviet era, is a tribute from Merkelo to Doksitser. The Armenian folk melodies and rhythms are characteristic of the Armenian repertoire, which has now become a standard repertoire of trumpet concertos along with Haydn and Hummel. Weinberg's quotations of melodies from Mahler's Fifth Symphony, Mendelssohn's Wedding March, Bizet's "Carmen," and Rimsky=Korsakov's "The Golden Rooster" give the piece a mysterious, playful feel. These two pieces were composed for Dokhsel. The "Concerto for Piano, Trumpet, and Strings" (Piano Concerto No. 1), composed by Shostakovich in his late 20s, is another popular work in the style of a collage, with quotations from his own and others' works scattered about, and is full of humor and brilliant virtuosity. It is noteworthy that here, with the composer's permission, Doxitzel has arranged (expanded) the trumpet part and used a version in which the trumpet is made to play the leading role.From the beginning, the trumpet plays the piano part and even the orchestral part. Because of the high level of technique and endurance required, the only recordings of this piece have been made by Doxitzel himself, making this recording a rare find. This recording is a must for trumpet fans. Transcription for Trumpet and Piano by Timofei Dokshitzer, DSCH Publishers (2009) / Orchestral Score: G. Schirmer, Inc Naxos Japan

Tracklisting:

1.Trumpet Concerto
2.Trumpet Concerto in B flat major, Op. 94~I. Etudes
3.Trumpet Concerto in B flat major, Op. 94~II. Episodes -
4.Trumpet Concerto in B flat major, Op. 94~III. Fanfares
5.Concerto No. 1, Op. 35, for Piano, Trumpet and Strings~I. Allegro moderato
6.Concerto No. 1, Op. 35, for Piano, Trumpet and Strings~II. Lento
7.Concerto No. 1, Op. 35, for Piano, Trumpet and Strings~III. Moderato -
8.Concerto No. 1, Op. 35, for Piano, Trumpet and Strings~IV. Allegro con brio