Amy Schendel, Uncommon Ground, Contemporary Works for Trumpet with Horn, Trombone, Piano and Organ

As per yesterday's post and the idea that brass music feels seasonal, we have another one today, quite different but equally lively. It is an anthology of modern works by trumpeter Amy Schendel and others, called Uncommon Ground (MSR 1536).

Six contemporary works are presented, all featuring trumpet and other instruments. These are not well-known composers, at least not to me, but the works have plenty of substance and spirit.

Patrick Schulz contributes "Fanfare for Trumpet and Piano," Jean-Francois Michel "Suite Pour Trompette, Cor et Trombone," and also "Eveils Pour Trompette, Trombone et Piano," Joseph Blanda "French Suite," Wayne Lu "Sonata for Trumpet and Piano," and Harald Genzmer "Sonate fur Trompette in C und Orgel."

These are works with a straightforwardly contrapuntal or generally through-composed demeanor, with a modern tonal palette to lesser or greater degree, depending. They each reflect a sort of neo-classic stance, in the sense that they take into consideration the past via a reflection on classic music for brass, yet are thoroughly of our time.

Amy Schendel acquits herself well, with a nicely burnished tone and a way around her parts that are given weight by the fine work of the other brass players and keyboardists represented on the program.

It is a program of worthy compositions, played with verve and even joy.

It's a good one!