Songs For Lent

Inspired by the T.S. Elliot poem of the same name, this is The Hollow Men, written for trumpet and string orchestra by Vincent Persichetti.

The poem says, in part:

Those who have crossed
With direct eyes, to death’s other Kingdom
Remember us—if at all—not as lost
Violent souls, but only
As the hollow men
The stuffed men.

And, of course, it ends with that most famous of lines:

This is the way the world ends

this is the way the world ends

this is the way the world ends

not with a bang but a whimper.

Songs for Lent

In honor of Maurice Andre, world-renowned trumpet virtuoso, who passed away over the weekend at the age of 78.

This is the 3rd movement of the Hindemith Sonata for trumpet and piano (no, it's not played by Maurice, but it's a good rendition all the same). The last section of this piece (starting at about the 5:40 mark) is titled "Alle Menschen mussen aterben" - All Mankind must die.

Friday Random 10

We start when I was back in college with #1 - I remember my friend Eric Holt playing this one from his "housing unit" as I walked by. The brass is exceptional, and he, being a trombonist, knew that I, a trumpeter, would appreciate it. #7 goes back to college as well - I played the lead trumpet in Azusa Pacific's Classical concert featuring this work as well as the Vivaldi Gloria. The Rutter Gloria is perhaps the toughest trumpet work I've ever played. #2 has some nice piccolo trumpet work as well.
#9 is in honor of Vince MP and the rest of Lakebay's worship team. They'll know why.

1. You Didn’t Know Me When – Harry Connick Jr.
2. Con Voce Festiva (Allesandro Scarlatti) – Kathleen Battle and Wynton Marsalis
3. Jann Arden – Cherry Popsicle
4. Pride (In the Name of Love) – U2
5. No Place to Hide – Allison Kraus and Union Station
6. Hibernia – Michael W. Smith
7. Gloria (John Rutter) – John Rutter Chorus and Brass Ensemble
8. The Last Testament of Angus Shane – Lost Dogs
9. Better Than – Vineyard Café
10. I’ll String Along with You - Diana Krall