Album Notes

James Darling, a long time member of The Cleveland Orchestra Trumpet Section recorded this classic album in 1973. This historic CD represents the best of the contemporary literature for trumpet and piano; and each of the compositions was originally written for this combination. Included with the CD are all of the original album notes, plus extremely interesting and never before published excerpts of letters from Kent Kennan to Jim Darling. Ibert and Kennan are winners of the Prix de Rome; the Stevens is a well known and frequently performed Sonata; Air de bravoure is a short, vibrant work by Jolivet, well known for his two Concerti for Trumpet; while the Sonatina is by Bertold Hummel, the great, great, grandson of Johann Nepomuk Hummel. James Darling was a member of The Cleveland Orchestra from 1973 until his retirement in 2005. He was Professor of Trumpet at the Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory of Music from 1969 to 2002, teaching trumpet, conducting the Brass Choir, and performing as first trumpet in the Faculty Brass Quintet. He also served on the faculty of The Cleveland Institute of Music from 1988 to 2004; The Oberlin Conservatory of Music for two years; and The New World Symphony in Miami Beach, Florida. Jim earned the Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Kentucky, the Master of Music degree from the University of Illinois, The Doctoral Equivalency from Baldwin-Wallace College; and studied with Glenn Immegart, Herbert Tiemeyer, Bernard Fitzgerald, Jack Hyatt, Haskell Sexton, and Adolph Herseth. His commitment and dedication to teaching has resulted in his students becoming members of the orchestras of Atlanta, Buffalo, Charlotte, Charleston, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Antonio, and Sarasota. Other students have also become influential performers, educators, conductors, and administrators at many colleges and universities in the U.S. and abroad. The Boston Symphony Orchestra, Houston Symphony, Metropolitan Opera, and San Francisco Opera include members who studied primarily with others but did additional study with Mr. Darling. James has presented numerous master classes at colleges and universities throughout the U.S., as well as coaching and conducting brass ensembles. Several of the selections on this CD, performed on a Carnegie Recital Hall debut, prompted Peter G. Davis of the New York Times to comment:\"...James Darling is a tastefully circumspect musician. He cultivates a fullbodied tone, always precisely in tune...played with a beguiling variety of nuance that was flawlessly executed.\" Genevieve Sidoti is the excellent pianist heard on this recording, as well as collaborator on the New York recital. Genevieve specialized in the instrumental sonata and concerto literature, and was a recipient of several scholarships and awards. Her teachers include Eugene Mancini, Ruth Edwards, James Smolko, and Arthur Loesser. This CD, unavailable since the 1980\'s, was carefully produced using the original master tapes insuring a clear, accurate, and undistorted sound. Enjoy!