Album Notes

Twentieth Century Trumpet showcases the best of modern classical composition, delivered through the powerful yet lyrical playing of Lisa Lynn Verzella.

The CD features 3 contemporary works, written in the 50s and 60s, by composers from Russia, Germany and America. Two of these works, the Wildgans and the Jankowski, are world premier recordings.

Friedrich Wildgans' Der Mystische Trompeter is a six-movement piece for trumpet, piano and soprano, set to the poem "The Mystic Trumpeter" by Walt Whitman. The work demonstrates the chromaticism of Wagner and the atonality of Berg.

Alexandra Pakhmutova's Concerto delivers a Post-Rachmaninoff Russian tale through rich melodies and Prokofievan colors.

Loretta Jankowski's Sonata employs 12-tone lyricism and intense interplay of rhythmic and harmonic motives exchanged between the trumpet and piano.

Ms. Verzella resides in Utah, where she plays with the Ballet West Orchestra and the Utah Symphony, and teaches at Snow College. She received a Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music and a Master of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music.

This CD has been acclaimed by several prominent professional trumpet players in the US and England. Verzella is extremely musical and plays her trumpet with a big rich sound, from lyrical melodies to boisterous fanfares.