Thomas Stevens (trumpeter)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Stevens trumpeter, composer
, and author
, was principal trumpet with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra from 1972 to 1999. Stevens has been internationally recognized for his contributions to the development of advanced 20th century (classical) solo trumpet music and contemporary brass instrument
performance practices as the result of his many solo and chamber music performances, recordings, published articles, educational music publications, and teaching activities.
As a solo performer, Thomas Stevens preferred music for trumpet accompanied by keyboards
, electronic instruments, small instrumental groups, and various combinations of such elements.
In 1984, composer Luciano Berio
wrote one of his landmark solo instrumental Sequenzas, the Sequenza X
for trumpet and (resonating) piano for Stevens. The Berio piece represents the last composition in a series of works written for him by various composers over a period of nearly two decades, many of which, by the end of the 20th century, had become standard repertoire for solo trumpet.
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, and author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
, was principal trumpet with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra from 1972 to 1999. Stevens has been internationally recognized for his contributions to the development of advanced 20th century (classical) solo trumpet music and contemporary brass instrument
Brass instrument
A brass instrument is a musical instrument whose sound is produced by sympathetic vibration of air in a tubular resonator in sympathy with the vibration of the player's lips...
performance practices as the result of his many solo and chamber music performances, recordings, published articles, educational music publications, and teaching activities.
As a solo performer, Thomas Stevens preferred music for trumpet accompanied by keyboards
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, electronic instruments, small instrumental groups, and various combinations of such elements.
In 1984, composer Luciano Berio
Luciano Berio
Luciano Berio, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI was an Italian composer. He is noted for his experimental work and also for his pioneering work in electronic music.-Biography:Berio was born at Oneglia Luciano Berio, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI (October 24, 1925 – May 27, 2003) was an Italian...
wrote one of his landmark solo instrumental Sequenzas, the Sequenza X
Sequenza X
Sequenza X is a composition for trumpet and piano by Luciano Berio, the tenth in his series of pieces with this title. The work was commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic for Thomas Stevens, and premiered by him on November 19, 1984...
for trumpet and (resonating) piano for Stevens. The Berio piece represents the last composition in a series of works written for him by various composers over a period of nearly two decades, many of which, by the end of the 20th century, had become standard repertoire for solo trumpet.
External links
- http://www.trumpetguild.org/journal/journal.htm May, 1991, p. 37
- http://www.LATimes.com Luciano Berio interview, November 13, 1984, Part VI p. 2
- http://www.thomasstevensmusic.com (Thomas Stevens information website)
- http://www.brass-bulletin.com (archives)