Concerto in D for Piccolo Trumpet

Concerto in D for Piccolo Trumpet (Guiseppe Tartini was a North Italian composer, violinist, teacher and theorist, born in Istria (now Slovenia). His early training was in the church but his adventurous nature meant that he soon received the disapproval of the clerical authorities by marrying, causing him to seek asylum. He seemed to be living a curious double existence as he also developed a considerable reputation as a fencer. Although his reconciliation with his wife soon came, he had by this time become obsessed with the idea of becoming a virtuoso violinist and shut himself away to practice. He spent some time in Prague, possibly to escape a paternity suit. His compositions, mainly the large collection of violin concertos and sonatas, were mainly from the period from 1728 onwards. Most of his career was spent as the leading violinist at St Anthony’s, Padua, where he also developed a prestigious school of violin playing. In later life he spent much of his energies on his writings on the acoustics of harmony. The Concerto in D, is a transcription of the Concerto in E for Violin, D53. It is in the typical fast-slow-fast formation. Performance note: Trumpets 2 and 3 should play very lightly throughout, preferably on small trumpets (D or piccolo). Trumpet 4 is flugel throughout. The outer movements should be played in a very leggiero style, with clarity of production and rhythmic shape. Louder dynamics should be kept under control in keeping with the style. The middle movement can be more sostenuto but make sure there is still a feeling of pulse and some shape in the phrasing.)