Search - Hakan Hardenberger, H. Hardenberger, P. Solomon :: Emotions

The Art of the Avant-Garde

Scott Taylor | 06/13/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hakan Hardenberger is one of the world's great trumpeters. In the disc of unaccompanied works for trumpet (the Berio does contain "phantom piano"), Hardenberger is right at home in terms of execution, emotion, and virtuosity. Italian Luciano Berio's "Sequenza X" is a monumental work for the trumpeter. Commissioned/Premiered by American Thomas Stevens, it is a tour de force for the virtuoso. Recalling almost every technique at the player's disposal, it is not for the faint-of-heart performer. The soloist's spotless technique is evident and awe-inspiring. The work is an escapade into Berio's concept of sound and space, color and mischievous noise. A scrutinizing ear will notice a slight reference to the jazz idiom - blue-note intervals, the use of wah-wah (an out-growth of one of Bubber Miley's signature "effects"), lip trills and smears, valve tremolo. No area is left untouched upon: Pedal tones galore - Wide Intervals - Relentless multiple-tonguing figures - even short bouts of polyphony. On top of everything aforementioned, the trumpeter must routinely point the bell of the brass instrument into an awaiting piano. The pianist is merely depressing silent chords, waiting to assist in the production of overtones and phantom acoustics. What a feat for the performer! Of other interest is the work of the late Toru Takemitsu. "Paths" was written for Hakan Hardenberger in memory of the deceased Witold Lutoslawski. Takemitsu makes extensive use of the Harmon mute(plunger removed) a la Miles Davis. A moving work - climaxing with a fortissimo high C# on the C trumpet. Several other unaccompanied works appear on the disc - all vehicles for the expression, range, and abililty of the great and able performer."