Absrm Trumpet

The words "eclectic" and "virtuosic" describe not only the works selected for this CD, but also the artists who perform them: trumpeter Stéphane Beaulac and organist Vincent Boucher. The works recorded here are those they have selected to perform in their Concerts Desjardins series of touring concerts, which is organized by Jeunesses musicales du Canada, and which will continue to be presented in various parts of Quebec until summer 2006. The selection on this CD recalls the legendary pairs of musicians who first made this repertoire so celebrated: Maurice André and Marie-Claire Alain, or Roger Delmotte and Pierre Cochereau (it was to the latter that Georges Delerue dedicated his Sonate.)

His first classical album having been released simultaneously with his second jazz album, Think of One, the 21-year-old Wynton Marsalis found himself in the position of being the most celebrated purveyor of both the classical and jazz repertoire since Benny Goodman. His debut takes him to the core of the small solo trumpet concerto repertoire with three pieces from the classical period by Haydn, Hummel, and Leopold Mozart, and thus, directly into competition with more experienced, full-time classical trumpeters. Technically, there is nothing wanting in Marsalis' playing; he pulls off the fanciest, most difficult figurations with hardly a care. .