CD-Charts Position 1
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Alison Balsom - Caprice: Trumpet Transcriptions

by: Various Composers

Release Date September 04, 2006
Alison Balsom, Caprice

This is the third CD from Alison Balsom, released September 2006, again on the EMI Classics label and has since been awarded the title of 'Solo CD of the Year 2006' by Brass Band World magazine. Named after Paganini's `Caprice No. 24 (the fifth track on the album), this is a collection of widely varied pieces of work, only one of which was originally written for the trumpet. Almost the entire disc represents transcriptions of works for other solo instruments and orchestrations.

Starting with Mozart's familiar `Rondo alla turca' is a safe introduction to ease the listener into this sometimes uneasy collection. Opinions will be mixed, for Mozart's original version (piano sonata in A major K331) ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
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Alison Balsom Trumpet and Organ Recital

from: Debut

Release Date October 07, 2002
...good, in parts.

If I were giving stars for the performance, I would give an entire galaxy. Ms. Balsom's mastery of not only the usual trumpet and flugelhorn, but also the wicked little piccolo trumpet and the valveless natual instrument, are extraordinary - wonderful sound and flawless technique.

The problem is the music. The first pieces (Sweelinck, Bach, Purcell and a nice flugelhorn rendition of "Shenandoah") are great. But, alas, the final pieces are modern, meaning (to my ears anyway), strange, discordant things very useful for scaring the neighbours' cats out of our garden, but not much else. This, I realise, is a very personal opinion, and if you like modern music, this is worthy of five stars. I don't, and ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
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Bach - Works for Trumpet

by: Alison Balsom

Release Date January 09, 2006
Released in January 2006, this is the second CD from Alison Balsom - the third if you include The fam'd Italian master' released on the Hyperion label in 2003, which was music performed by various brass players and The Parley of Instruments group.

The title itself is interesting. It suggests that all the works are written by Bach, but this is only partially true, and none of them were originally scored for the trumpet. In fact, Bach wrote no works specifically for solo trumpet, only pieces such as the Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 can be found as possible examples of Bach's affinity to the instrument. The two pieces not wholly Bach are the concerto in D, written as a violin concerto by Vivaldi, and the concerto in C minor by Marcello. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
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Haydn: Trumpet Concerto & Hummel: Trumpet Concerto

by: Alison Balsom, Die Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen

Release Date September 01, 2008
Released in January 2006, this is the second CD from Alison Balsom - the third if you include The fam'd Italian master' released on the Hyperion label in 2003, which was music performed by various brass players and The Parley of Instruments group.

The title itself is interesting. It suggests that all the works are written by Bach, but this is only partially true, and none of them were originally scored for the trumpet. In fact, Bach wrote no works specifically for solo trumpet, only pieces such as the Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 can be found as possible examples of Bach's affinity to the instrument. The two pieces not wholly Bach are the concerto in D, written as a violin concerto by Vivaldi, and the concerto in C minor by Marcello. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
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Haydn; Hummel; Neruda; Albinoni - Trumpet Concertos

by: Tine Thing Helseth, Norwegian Chamber Orchestra

Release Date March 17, 2008
This is a great début CD by this young Norwegian trumpeteress. There may be better recordings of each of these concerti out there, (most notably Hardenberger's Albinoni, Edward Tarr's Hummel, Niklas Eklund's Neruda, Reinhold Friedrich's Haydn), but Helseth stamps her own individual approach to each of these pieces, and does a great job on each one. Her playing style is very fluid and she clearly has a stunning technique and a lovely tone (if a little heavy on the vibrato at times).

One small disappointment is that Helseth chooses to use the publisher's cadenza in the Neruda, rather than writing her own, but she plays David Hickman's cadenza with a vibrant and fresh approach.

A very worthwhile addition to any trumpet player's ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
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Baroque and Classical Trumpet Concertos

from: Regis

Release Date May 07, 2001
This is a great début CD by this young Norwegian trumpeteress. There may be better recordings of each of these concerti out there, (most notably Hardenberger's Albinoni, Edward Tarr's Hummel, Niklas Eklund's Neruda, Reinhold Friedrich's Haydn), but Helseth stamps her own individual approach to each of these pieces, and does a great job on each one. Her playing style is very fluid and she clearly has a stunning technique and a lovely tone (if a little heavy on the vibrato at times).

One small disappointment is that Helseth chooses to use the publisher's cadenza in the Neruda, rather than writing her own, but she plays David Hickman's cadenza with a vibrant and fresh approach.

A very worthwhile addition to any trumpet player's ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
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Classic Trumpet Concertos

by: The King's Consort

Release Date September 03, 2001
The listening public has been waiting for this disc for a long time, and it does not disappoint. Crispian, who is probably the most stylish natural trumpet player in the business, is paired with the King's Consort, who provide subtle and well-balanced support throughout the disc. The choice of repertoire is particularly pleasing - I was particularly looking forward to the Josef Haydn and Hummel performed on the keyed trumpet, and the extremely challenging Michael Haydn and Hertel concertos which use the highest register. Whether in the stratosphere or progressing stylishly through the lower register on the keyed trumpet, Crispian plays with security, grace and a highly-informed style.

This disc is in many ways a counter-balance to the five ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
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The World of the Trumpet

from: World of Series

Release Date November 15, 1994
The listening public has been waiting for this disc for a long time, and it does not disappoint. Crispian, who is probably the most stylish natural trumpet player in the business, is paired with the King's Consort, who provide subtle and well-balanced support throughout the disc. The choice of repertoire is particularly pleasing - I was particularly looking forward to the Josef Haydn and Hummel performed on the keyed trumpet, and the extremely challenging Michael Haydn and Hertel concertos which use the highest register. Whether in the stratosphere or progressing stylishly through the lower register on the keyed trumpet, Crispian plays with security, grace and a highly-informed style.

This disc is in many ways a counter-balance to the five ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
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Johannes Brahms: Violin and Double Concerto

from: Pentatone

Release Date May 14, 2007
The listening public has been waiting for this disc for a long time, and it does not disappoint. Crispian, who is probably the most stylish natural trumpet player in the business, is paired with the King's Consort, who provide subtle and well-balanced support throughout the disc. The choice of repertoire is particularly pleasing - I was particularly looking forward to the Josef Haydn and Hummel performed on the keyed trumpet, and the extremely challenging Michael Haydn and Hertel concertos which use the highest register. Whether in the stratosphere or progressing stylishly through the lower register on the keyed trumpet, Crispian plays with security, grace and a highly-informed style.

This disc is in many ways a counter-balance to the five ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
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Francesco's Kitchen

by: Francesco Da Mosto

Release Date October 11, 2007
This is a wonderful book for all those who are passionate about Venice. Presented with great style, it is certainly up to the standard of Franceso's previous publications. But this is not just a book of traditional recipes and pretty photographs, many pages are devoted to the produce used in Venetian cooking and the history of various ingredients. There are pages describing 18th. century life in the palazzi of Venice and four pages devoted to the humble fork. This is a book that will transport you to the Grand Canal everytime you read it. Oh if only all trattoria and ristorante in Venice had a copy!