Trumpet Concertos

"Håkan Hardenberger is both a phenomenal trumpet player and a superb musician who has created, virtually single-handed, a whole new repertoire for his instrument through his commitment to contemporary music." This was the view of the BBC Music Magazine when reviewing Håkan Hardenberger's most recent concerto disc. What it does not mention is the fact that Håkan Hardenberger is one of those rare artists who can present "difficult" music and make it thoroughly agreeable to the audience. Yet another work inspired by and dedicated to Håkan Hardenberger is Sedish composer Rolf Martinsson's trumpet concerto "Bridge". This has proved immensely popular with audiences and, unlike most contemporary works, has already been performed a large number of times. It has won the heart not only of audiences but also of Neeme Järvi who has presented it on tour with the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra and has recently conducted it in the USA with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra supporting Håkan Hardenberger. Martinsson's concerto is an extended work and by no means merely a showcase for the soloist. Indeed the soloist often does battle with the orchestral forces who have plenty to contribute themselves. Perhaps this explains why orchestras also enjoy performing the work. The disc also contains two trumpet concertos from the other side of the Baltic. Arvo Pärt requires no introduction and though his trumpet concerto (on B-A-C-H) is brief in terms of minutes on the clock it is full of musical ideas that are very carefully worked out. It is also, as we expect of Pärt, full of beautiful sonorities. Eino Tamberg's name will be unfamiliar to most people. He is another Estonian composer of the same generation as Pärt and his music is also beautifully crafted and rich in ideas. Neeme Järvi and the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra are in fine form and, with the inimitable Håkan Hardenberger, they bring us a disc that surely sets new standards in its field.