Search - Antonsen, Smebye :: Ole Edvard Antonsen

Definitive 20th-Century Trumpet

Music Is Everything | Colorado Springs, CO USA | 07/06/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ole Edvard Antonsen has become a major force in contemporary trumpet playing, but this recording is essential to understanding his playing and his career. The story goes that Antonsen spent himself deeply into debt to make this recording and funds to complete the project were supplied by a Norwegian government grant. Antonsen's determination to produce a breakthrough recording of the highest quality brought a tremendous success and launched his brilliant career.



The program varies only narrowly, but all the pieces are excellent. From the accessible and lyric "Intrada" of Honnegger and the "Four Variations on a Theme of Scarlatti" by Marcel Bitsch, to more edgy pieces by Sutermeister and Francaix, to sprawling unaccompanied pieces like Hvoslef's "Tromba Solo" (11 minutes without a rest!) and Friedman's "Solus," Antonsen's technique and musicality never even hint at a weakness. His tone is brilliant and resonant in every register, and his speed and virtuosity are uncanny.



This is recording is a rarity, and has already been in and out of print a few times, so I'm glad to see it available in .mp3. If you're a fan of Antonsen, a serious contemporary music listener, or an aspiring trumpeter, I strongly recommend this recording. It occupies a critical place in a wide and varied field, and will be a treasured item in your collection."