Description

This three-movement work was composed for James Thompson,
currently Professor of Trumpet at the Eastman School of Music.
It was written for a performance at the Trumpet Museum in Bad
Sackingen, Germany.  The premiere took place at the museum in
1995, celebrating the ten-year anniversary of the museum’s
opening. Along with Mr. Thompson, the other performers were,
Edward Tarr, well know trumpet soloists and historian and
current Director of the Museum, and Peter Leiner, member of
Das Rennquintette and Deutsche Radio Philharmonie. Sadly,
Peter passed away in 2018.

Written for three trumpets in “C,” the title comes from the fact
that all of the melodic themes were generated by taking the
musical letters from the names of the three players who
premiered the piece. So, for Mvt. I, movement one “Tarrsmania”
I used EDwArD tArr (E-D-A-D-A). Perhaps you can figure out the
other two movements on your own. Or, drop me an email at:
bixandmiles@att.net and I’ll explain my twisted process to you.
You can purchase this piece at Carl Fischer Music.

This piece requires excellent endurance and confident upper
register for Trumpet I.  The three trumpets participate equally
in the melodic conversations.  Namesakes has some interesting
harmonies and colors, especially in the slow second movement.
This would be an excellent piece for a senior or graduate recital.