Alison Balsom: Trumpet Concertos

Following the international success of her critically-acclaimed Italian Concertos - about which BBC Music Magazine raved: "listening to it is nothing less than a life-enhancing experience"- trumpet superstar Alison Balsom releases an exciting and important new album of modern trumpet concertos. Entitled Seraph, the album leads with the world-premiere recording of James MacMillan's similarly-named trumpet concerto, a work written especially for Balsom and featuring the exploratory yet accessible compositional style MacMillan has become known for. The album also includes two other concertos: the Trumpet Concerto in A flat major by Alexander Arutiunian - a staple in the repertory thanks to its simple and attractive musical language which incorporates features of Armenian folk music - and Bernd Alois Zimmermann's haunting,impossibly virtuosic Trumpet Concerto in C Major. The disc also features "Paths" by Toru Takemitsu - a solo trumpet piece that combines elements of Eastern and Western musical philosophies, and rounding out the program is a sparse, gripping arrangement of the American spiritual "Nobody Knows," arranged by Tom Foster and Alison herself.

1. Nobody knows de trouble I see Arrangement (by Alison) of the spiritual 2. Arutiunian: Concerto for Trumpet & Orchestra 3. MacMillan: Seraph World Premiere Recording 4. Takemitsu: Paths, Op. 50 5. Zimmermann, B A: Trumpet Concerto in C 'Nobody Knows De Trouble I See'

Gramophone Editor's Choice - February 2012
Alison Balsom is the world’s preeminent female classical trumpeter. She is an unique and independent artist who have broken through to the mainstream whilst retaining her integrity and core musical values. Exceptional talent, a glamorous stage presence and a witty and engaging personality make Alison one of the most exciting and bankable artists in the core classical world today. Alison’s new recording of modern and contemporary repertoire marks an important artistic stepping stone in her career. This labour of love features the world premiere recording of Seraph, James MacMillan’s trumpet concerto written for Alison, works by Takemitsu and Zimmermann and includes her long-awaited recording of the ever popular Arutunian Trumpet Concerto.