Robert Planel's Trumpet Concerto: A Modern Masterpiece in PDF Format
Robert Planel Trumpet Concerto: A Masterpiece of Modern Music
If you are a fan of classical music, especially for the trumpet, you may have heard of Robert Planel's Trumpet Concerto. This piece is one of the most popular and challenging works for the instrument, and it showcases the composer's unique and expressive musical style. But who was Robert Planel, and what makes his trumpet concerto so special? In this article, we will explore the background, structure, style, and performance of this masterpiece of modern music.
robert planel trumpet concerto pdf free
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Introduction
Who was Robert Planel?
Robert Planel (1908-1994) was a French composer, conductor, and teacher. He studied at the Paris Conservatoire with Paul Dukas, Albert Roussel, and Philippe Gaubert, among others. He composed over 200 works in various genres, including symphonies, concertos, chamber music, vocal music, and film music. He was also a prolific writer on music theory and aesthetics. He taught at several institutions in France and abroad, such as the Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris, the Conservatoire National de Musique de Lyon, and the University of Michigan. He received many honors and awards for his contributions to music, such as the Grand Prix de Rome in 1936, the Prix de la SACEM in 1957, and the Legion of Honor in 1978.
What is a trumpet concerto?
A trumpet concerto is a musical composition for solo trumpet and orchestra. It usually consists of three movements: a fast one, a slow one, and another fast one. The soloist plays the main melodies and themes, while the orchestra provides accompaniment and contrast. The trumpet concerto is a relatively rare genre in classical music, as there are not many composers who wrote for it. Some of the most famous examples are by Haydn, Hummel, Arutunian, Tomasi, Jolivet, and Shostakovich.
Why is this piece important?
Robert Planel's Trumpet Concerto was composed in 1954 for Roger Delmotte, a renowned French trumpeter who premiered it at the Festival de Besançon in 1955. It is one of Planel's most successful and acclaimed works, as well as one of his most personal and expressive ones. It reflects his musical influences from impressionism, neoclassicism, jazz, and folk music. It also demonstrates his mastery of orchestration, harmony, melody, rhythm, and form. It is widely regarded as one of the best trumpet concertos of the 20th century, and it has been performed and recorded by many famous soloists and orchestras around the world.
Main Body
The structure and form of the concerto
The concerto follows a traditional three-movement structure, with each movement having its own character and mood. The total duration of the piece is about 15 minutes.
The first movement: Allegro moderato
The first movement is in sonata form, which means that it has three main sections: exposition, development, and recapitulation. The exposition introduces two contrasting themes: the first one is lively and rhythmic, played by the soloist in a high register; the second one is lyrical and melodic, played by the orchestra in a lower register. The development explores and transforms these themes in various ways, creating tension and drama. The recapitulation returns to the original themes, but with some changes and variations. The movement ends with a coda, a short section that concludes the music with a final flourish.
The second movement: Andante cantabile
The second movement is in ternary form, which means that it has three parts: A, B, and A'. The A part is a beautiful and expressive melody, played by the soloist with a mute. The B part is a contrasting section, where the orchestra plays a faster and more agitated theme, while the soloist plays some virtuosic passages. The A' part is a return to the original melody, but with some embellishments and ornaments. The movement ends with a cadenza, a solo passage where the soloist improvises and shows off their skills.
The third movement: Allegro scherzando
The third movement is in rondo form, which means that it has a recurring theme that alternates with different episodes. The theme is playful and humorous, played by the soloist in a low register. The episodes are varied and colorful, featuring different instruments and styles. For example, there is an episode with a jazz-like rhythm and harmony, another one with a folk-like melody and accompaniment, and another one with a march-like character and tempo. The movement ends with a presto section, where the soloist and the orchestra play faster and faster, until they reach a brilliant finale.
The musical style and techniques of the concerto
The concerto showcases Planel's distinctive musical style and techniques, which combine elements from different sources and traditions. Some of these elements are:
The harmonic language and tonality
Planel uses a rich and complex harmonic language, which blends tonality and modality. Tonality is the system of organizing music around a central pitch or key. Modality is the system of using different scales or modes, which have different patterns of intervals. Planel often changes keys and modes throughout the piece, creating contrast and variety. He also uses chromaticism, which means using notes that are not part of the key or mode. Chromaticism creates tension and dissonance, as well as color and expression.
The melodic and rhythmic motifs
Planel uses short and memorable melodic and rhythmic motifs, which are repeated and developed throughout the piece. A motif is a basic unit of music that can be recognized by its shape or pattern. Planel often uses motifs that are based on intervals, such as seconds, thirds, fourths, fifths, sixths, sevenths, or octaves. He also uses motifs that are based on rhythms, such as dotted notes, triplets, syncopation, or irregular meters. He combines these motifs in different ways, creating contrast and variety.
The orchestration and instrumentation
Planel uses a small orchestra of about 30 players, which includes strings (violins, violas, cellos, basses), woodwinds (flutes, oboes, clarinets), brass (horns), percussion (timpani), and harp. He uses these instruments in different combinations and effects, creating contrast and variety. For example, he uses the strings to create lush and warm textures; he uses the woodwinds to create light and airy sounds; he uses the brass to create powerful and bright accents; he uses the percussion to create rhythmic drive; he uses the harp to create delicate and sparkling sounds.
The performance and interpretation of the concerto
The concerto poses many challenges and opportunities for the performance and interpretation of both the soloist and the orchestra. Some of these are:
The challenges and opportunities for the soloist
The role and balance of the orchestra
The orchestra has to play a supportive and complementary role to the soloist, without overpowering or overshadowing them. The orchestra also has to play with precision and clarity, as the music is often complex and dense. The orchestra has to follow the soloist's tempo and dynamics, as well as their phrasing and expression. The orchestra has to be flexible and responsive, as the music is often unpredictable and spontaneous.
The expressive and emotional aspects of the music
The music has a wide range of emotions and expressions, from joy and excitement to sadness and nostalgia. The music also has a lot of humor and irony, as well as drama and tension. The performers have to convey these emotions and expressions through their tone, articulation, technique, style, and interpretation. The performers have to communicate with each other and with the audience, creating a connection and a dialogue. The performers have to enjoy and appreciate the music, as well as respect and honor the composer's intentions.
Conclusion
Summary of the main points
In this article, we have discussed Robert Planel's Trumpet Concerto, a masterpiece of modern music. We have explored the background, structure, style, and performance of this piece. We have learned that Planel was a French composer who wrote over 200 works in various genres. We have learned that his trumpet concerto was composed in 1954 for Roger Delmotte, a famous French trumpeter. We have learned that the concerto has three movements: Allegro moderato, Andante cantabile, and Allegro scherzando. We have learned that the concerto showcases Planel's distinctive musical style and techniques, which combine elements from impressionism, neoclassicism, jazz, and folk music. We have learned that the concerto poses many challenges and opportunities for the performance and interpretation of both the soloist and the orchestra.
Evaluation and appreciation of the concerto
The concerto is a remarkable and impressive work of art, which demonstrates Planel's creativity and originality. The concerto is a beautiful and expressive work of music, which reflects Planel's personality and emotions. The concerto is a fun and enjoyable work of entertainment, which delights Planel's audience and listeners. The concerto is a valuable and important work of culture, which contributes to Planel's legacy and reputation.
Recommendations for further listening and reading
If you liked this article and want to learn more about Robert Planel's Trumpet Concerto, here are some recommendations for further listening and reading:
Listen to a recording of the concerto by Maurice André (soloist) and Jean-Pierre Wallez (conductor), available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qw8Z9xYJyQk
Listen to a recording of the concerto by Alison Balsom (soloist) and Edward Gardner (conductor), available on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/6g0y5w9H7qXWf0jZa0lGwN?si=6c7f1f6a1b7c4d5f
Read an analysis of the concerto by David Hickman in his book Trumpet Greats: A Biographical Dictionary (2013), available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Trumpet-Greats-Biographical-Dictionary-Hickman/dp/0984943905
Read an interview with Roger Delmotte about his collaboration with Planel in his book Roger Delmotte: Une vie de trompette (2008), available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Roger-Delmotte-Une-vie-trompette/dp/2913575878
Visit Planel's official website for more information about his life and works: http://www.robertplanel.com/
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about Robert Planel's Trumpet Concerto:
When was Robert Planel born and when did he die?
Robert Planel was born on September 22nd, 1908 in Orange, France. He died on January 29th, 1994 in Lyon, France.
What are some of Planel's other works for the trumpet?
Some of Planel's other works for the trumpet are: Suite en la for trumpet and piano (1934), Prélude et Saltarelle for trumpet and piano (1951), Légende for trumpet and orchestra (1953), Suite Romantique for trumpet and piano (1956), Concertino for trumpet and orchestra (1960), and Suite pour cuivres for brass quintet (1972).
What are some of the influences and inspirations for Planel's musical style?
Some of the influences and inspirations for Planel's musical style are: French impressionist composers such as Debussy and Ravel, French neoclassical composers such as Stravinsky and Poulenc, American jazz musicians such as Armstrong and Ellington, and French folk music from Provence and Brittany.
What are some of the benefits and challenges of playing the trumpet?
Some of the benefits and challenges of playing the trumpet are: it is a versatile and expressive instrument that can play in many genres and styles; it is a powerful and bright instrument that can stand out in an ensemble or orchestra; it is a demanding and difficult instrument that requires a lot of practice and technique; it is a sensitive and delicate instrument that can be affected by factors such as temperature, humidity, or altitude.
What are some of the tips and advice for learning and playing the trumpet?
Some of the tips and advice for learning and playing the trumpet are: choose a good quality instrument that suits your level and budget; find a good teacher who can guide you and correct you; practice regularly and consistently, with a focus on quality rather than quantity; warm up properly before playing, with exercises such as long tones, lip slurs, scales, or arpeggios; listen to a lot of music, especially by great trumpet players, to develop your ear, taste, and style; have fun and enjoy the music, as well as the process of learning and improving.
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