PROGRAM

Trumpet Concerto in Ab Major Alexander Arutiunian

Andante-Allegro Energico

Meno Mosso

Tempo I

Associate Artist: Chee Yean

Concert Etude Alexander Goedicke

Associate Artist: Chee Yean

Sonata Jean Hubeau

For Chromatic Trumpet and Piano

Sarbande

Associate Artist: Chee Yean

PROGRAM NOTES

Trumpet Concerto in Ab Major Alexander Arutiunian

The Concerto was written in 1949-1950, as a friendly gesture to his friend, Aikaz Mesiyan, who is a virtuoso trumpeter also from Armenia. This was only his sixth major composition and it was just before he was awarded the USSR Prize.

On this piece, it combines the traditional fast-slow-fast sections but only in a single movement. Typical of Arutiunian, he embedded Armenian Folk Music influences, primarily the Ashugi improvisatory style.

The opening (andante), flickering with the basses with rubato-like and improvisatory declamations by the trumpet, soon gives way to the jovial allegro energico with its almost circus-like theme for the trumpet. Then, it leads to the introduction of improvisatory like melody into a sentimental second theme.

The second theme then is put to halt as it goes back to allegro energico with the second theme is layered in between the trumpet calls. A very powerful climax then suddenly interrupts as the music moves into meno mosso which the muted trumpet, will be complemented by a shimmering accompaniment. A sudden return to allegro energico followed by a dramatic cadenza brings the work to its decidedly abrupt conclusion.

Concert Etude Alexander Goedicke

As a piansit, he was oddly remembered much for this piece. One of the reason was this piece has become a standard piece for the sparse concert repertoire for this instrument.

Like an etude, except that it is accompanied, this piece challenges the performer in many aspects. Bassically, it has two sections contrasting in style which is the leggiero and rapid section, and the lyrical section.

The first section involves a lot of rapid tonguing and fingering changes while the second one involves a lot of legato playing technique. Articulations and dynamics are also indicated in detail, much like an etude. These are all to challenge the performer, on what really looks like a simply structured music, but very challenging indeed on the techical and musical capability of the performer.

Sonata Jean Hubeau

for Chromatic Trumpet and Piano

Sarabande

This sonata was composed as an exam piece for trumpet students in the Paris Conservatory as the tutors of composition were asked to write an exam piece for instrumentalists. For this piece, it is the first movement from his sonata for Trumpet and Piano and called Sarabande. It is quite similar in the form of other Sarabande’s like the triple metre, and in slow tempo.

The idea of trumpet melody line is varied and separated into three different areas. Those ideas are the lyrical part (bar 2-9), fanfare motives (bar 3 of no2), and echo effects after the fanfare after each fanfare motive. Dynamic also is key in this piece whereby the dynamics always vary from small sections to offer different color in phrases

Biography

Khairul was born and raised in Klang. He first took up the trumpet when he came to UiTM to study music during his diploma course. He studied the art of playing the trumpet under the tutelage of Principal Brass of Malaysian National Symphony Orchestra, Mr. Eric Lee Yin Fah. Through Mr Eric Lee, he also had the opportunity to learn from Alexander Artamanov (NSO), Nuttapong (B5Live) and many others along the way. As a free lancer, he already has earned experiences performing with the National Symphony Orchestra in a few concerts, accompanying artists like Anuar Zain and Frances Yip, and recently, performed with the Petronas Performing Arts Group at Dewan Filharmonik in the concert, Imbauan II.

In 2008, he received his diploma in music (UiTM) and currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree (Performance) in UiTM. Known as a hardworking person, however, he is currently unattached to any organisation.

Acknowledgement

I would like to thank Mr Eric Lee Yin Fah, for being a kind, supportive and a patient teacher, who guided me from my “baby steps” to what i am now. My father, Zulkifly Tony Abdullah and my mother, Rohani Bte Kechik, for providing me everything that i need in life. Not to forget, my brother, Rizal Ezuan, and my sister, Siti Nur Hajarul Aswad, for their guidance and support as siblings and as professionals. I also would like to express my deepest gratitude to Puan Siti Hajar Seperah for her motivation and support.

My greatest thanks to all my friends. You are all wonderful!