Abstracts Category : Other

A Study of Performance Practice for Three Morceaux de Concours for Trumpet from the Paris Conservatory| Charlier "Solo de Concours" (1900), Savard "Morceau de Concours" (1903), Enesco "Legende" (1906) Lecture Recital

by John Christopher Underwood

The purpose of this study was to address performance practice, and develop a systematic approach to the preparation of three pieces composed for the <i> Morceaux de Concours</i> at the Paris Conservatory. The pieces were written by former students of the conservatory. Each composition features distinct musical and technical challenges for the trumpet. <i>Solo de Concours </i> written by Theo Charlier requires the performer to play musically in a variety of ranges, dynamics, and articulations. For this work, exercises were composed to address these demands. Morceau de Concours by Augustin Savard is technically less challenging but requires mastery of phrasing and lip flexibility. Finally, Legend requires the most preparation out of the three works examined. The composition requires a performer to have established solid trumpet fundamentals. For this piece, dynamic exercises, a chromatic etude and multiple tonguing exercises were developed to equip the trumpeter with the skills needed to excel in the performance of these works.