I just found this one during the past week and I HAD to get it up on the blog. This particular lp (I originally owned the cassette), along with The Art of the Baroque Trumpet with Edward H Tarr, were the first trumpet records that I bought from Lechmere's and Strawberries some 30 years ago. At $2.95, these Nonesuch beauties were affordable for a teenager on a tight budget. And, they were GOOD!
Everyone knows Gerard Schwarz as the longtime music director of the Seattle Symphony but few remember that he began his career as a brilliant trumpet player, first with the American SO under Stokowski and later in the NYPO. The conducting bug bit him rather early and he was lucky to break in and learn the trade at New York City's famed "Y" concerts. From there, Schwarz certainly blossomed into one of this country's more renowned masters of the podium.
The program that I have put together showcases Schwarz as soloist and director/member of the illustrious NY Trumpet Ensemble. In short, this is great trumpet playing of enjoyable 17th through 18th century trumpet gems. Ably assisted by superb musicians such as Raymond Mase, Mark Gould, Leonard Sharrow and Albert Fuller, we've got a tour de force that I cannot imagine anyone turning their nose up at. As I've mentioned previously, I'm a semi pro trumpeter of many years and I always find time to appreciate, and hold in awe, players that make it sound soooo easy but with the best of taste. Such is what you get with Gerard Schwarz and his colleagues. The recordings here date from 1973-4.
Oh! if there are any requests for the Edward H Tarr album, let me know. Tarr was a very important scholar and researcher though by today's standards, his playing probably would be deemed unexceptional.
DOWNLOAD part 1
DOWNLOAD part 2
