Haydn, Hummel, Jolivet, Tomasi: Concertino for Trumpet, Piano & Strings

What a shame for the 16-year-old Russian trumpeter Sergei Nakariakov that his sizzling technical facility far outstrips the quality of his sound. And there seems to be an element of cynicism in the way Teldec has promoted him despite this serious defect. Considering the strength of the competition, it might have been wiser not to play the popular card with the Haydn and Hummel concertos.

 

Our rating

2

Published: January 20, 2012 at 4:14 pm

COMPOSERS: Haydn,Hummel,Jolivet,Tomasi
LABELS: Teldec
WORKS: Concertino for Trumpet, Piano & Strings
PERFORMER: Sergei Nakariakov (trumpet), Alexander Markovich (piano); Lausanne CO/Jésus López-Cobos
CATALOGUE NO: 4509-90846-2 DDD

What a shame for the 16-year-old Russian trumpeter Sergei Nakariakov that his sizzling technical facility far outstrips the quality of his sound. And there seems to be an element of cynicism in the way Teldec has promoted him despite this serious defect. Considering the strength of the competition, it might have been wiser not to play the popular card with the Haydn and Hummel concertos.

Nakariakov can produce the notes, but is not yet comfortable stylistically, and he is saddled with a conductor and orchestra who know no better. Much more convincing is the Tomasi concerto. With the sound often softened with mutes, there are some effective moments in the second movement, in which the trumpet merges with a rippling harp accompaniment, developing into a rhapsodic, impressionistic middle section.

This work suits him, as does the Jolivet Concertino, written for the same forces as Shostakovich’s Concerto No. 1, which is already in Nakariakov’s repertoire. As for the rest, several years of careful study will, I am sure, provide the remedy, but then, as Teldec well knows, he will no longer be a child prodigy. Deborah Calland

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