Sonata for Trumpet and Piano
By Halsey Stevens

Stevens has created a masterful work for trumpet and piano. More a duet in structure as the piano is integral to the success of the work. Having two people on the same wave length is crucial. The use of direct accents and tenuto challenge the stylistic interpretation of the work...

. All my students who play this love it - they adore the playful first movement, the interplay of trumpet and piano sonority and magic of 5/8 change up to set continuity between the 3 sections of the work. Second movement can be so moving and the last movement is a romp! I hear so much Copland and Hindemith here jocular moments mixed with intense statements from the heart. Enjoy the experience; yes you need good fluid technique but with careful study you will be rewarded.

Written in 1956, Stevens' Sonata for Trumpet has taken its place in the standard solo literature of American trumpet players. The work is in three movements, fast - slow - fast, and takes around fifteen minutes to play. It is written for trumpet in Bb, and poses various technical and musical challenges...

for the player. Stylistically, one finds an affinity with the music of Copland, Hindemith and Bartok, the latter mainly in the slow middle movement. This is a fun piece to perform, one that every serious trumpet player knows.

Learning how to "dance" with this piece is probably its biggest challenge. The constantly changing meters will keep you off-balance, but if you figure out the pattern, you can fall right in and just go with it. But, as Jason S. writes, have a good accompanist! Having an accompanist...

who can negotiate the meter changes with you is crucial.

This is a blast to work and play but make sure you have a good accompanist.

Very technical! Excellent piece! Be sure to get a good accompanist!