International Classical Music Awards
2023
Nominated - Concerto

Paul Merkelo, Jae-Hyuck Cho, Russian National Orchestra, Hans Graf

Arutiunian: Concerto for Trumpet & Orchestra. Cadenza
Weinberg: Trumpet Concerto in B flat major, Op. 94
Shostakovich: Piano Concerto No. 1 in C minor for piano, trumpet & strings, Op. 35

The trumpet has had many concertos written for it by composers from the Soviet era and beyond. Appealing in its unabashed melodies and colourfully nostalgic feel, Arutiunian’s Trumpet Concerto became popular in the West, while Weinberg’s emotive Trumpet Concerto in B flat major was summed up by Shostakovich as a ‘symphony for trumpet and orchestra’. Shostakovich’s own playful Concerto No. 1, Op. 35 is recorded here with Timofei Dokschizer’s extended trumpet part, bringing it closer to the Baroque ‘double concerto’ model that the composer may initially have intended. The three works featured on this recording each has a connection with virtuoso trumpeter Timofei Dokshizer, who commissioned and premiered a succession of such pieces. A major attraction for this release is Paul Merkelo playing Shostakovich’s extremely popular Piano Concerto No. 1 (which also features acclaimed pianist Jae-Hyuck Cho) in a version with archival cadenzas and ornamentation by Timofei Dokschizer.

"Paul Merkelo’s nicely programmed album is a tribute to the great Ukrainian-born trumpet virtuoso Timofei Dokschitzer...Dokschitzer expanded the solo trumpet repertoire immeasurably by dint of championing, commissioning and arranging, so it is fitting that an example of each is featured, especially as none of Dokschitzer’s recordings of them are currently available." - Gramophone Magazine, January 2023.