JASON BERGMAN

• James Stephenson: Call (excerpt)

“[Bergman is] a world-class soloist... The works Bergman has selected for this program are all by composers who...write direct, flavorful music that is easily accessible by the less musically sophisticated listener and still a challenge for those with a formal musical background... I was really struck by Stevens' Sonata for Trumpet and Piano (2008) in which pianist Ellen Elder is an equal partner with Bergman, underpinning his sensational lyricism with a bass line that ranges from clangorous chords in the opening movement to restless, agitated passages later on. All the while, Bergman demonstrates the full range of what the trumpet can do in the way in the way of a smooth legato and bracing staccato ascending scales and slides. His mastery of dynamics is heard in the Adagio in the way he trails off the melody into inaudibilty at the very end. This is bravura playing in the service of music, not just for its own ends.”

Phil Muse, Audio Society of Atlanta [June 2014]

“If you needed proof of the strength of orchestral musicians in the smaller cities of America, this disc will provide it. Jason Bergman is principal trumpet of the Mobile Symphony Orchestra and Mobile Opera Orchestra in Alabama, and he sounds like a world class soloist on this recording. He plays with style and elegance, a lovely legato where the music calls for it, and at the same time a strong internal rhythmic pulse. He understands the principles of tension and release in music-making, and he gets a nice range of color out of his trumpet... Perhaps the most important asset here is Bergman’s choice of music. This is all music that is attractive and “listener-friendly” without in any way dumbing down. These composers do in fact challenge and engage the listener, but not in a way that is forbidding or unapproachable. As you might expect, all of the writing fits the sound of the trumpet naturally. If one thinks that a recording of trumpet music is likely to be relentlessly brilliant and perhaps a bit tiring, this disc confounds that expectation. There is as much here that is warm, intimate and lyrical as there is virtuosic and fiery. Bergman balances both aspects of his art very well, and the result should please anyone who enjoys the sound of the trumpet. The recorded sound is excellent: detailed, but not too close or aggressive. …a recording that was a very pleasant discovery."

Henry Fogel, Fanfare [2014]

"Jason's soaring lyricism and effortlessly resonant sound really shine throughout this great compilation of new works for trumpet. Talent plus musicality is a rare combination, but Jason has it all! Off to the practice room…"

Ethan Bensdorf, 2nd Trumpet, New York Philharmonic [November 2013]

This project began with a desire to record new, accessible and substantial works for the trumpet and piano. I have been fortunate to perform these works many times and each one has become a personal favorite. Centennial Horizon is a beautiful and lyrical work that is exciting for the performers as much as it is for the listener. Kevin McKee has a bright future as a composer. Three Pieces is a fantastic new work that relays my affinity for Brazilian music. I lived in Brazil for two years, and I love the people, the country, the language, and the music of Brazil. Call is one of the few remaining unrecorded works for trumpet by Jim Stephenson. I first heard his music in 2007 at a performance of Jim’s Fantasie by Paul Merkelo and Rebecca Wilt. Mr. Stephenson’s music inspires me and I am happy to be able record this enjoyable unaccompanied solo. I first became aware of John Stevens’ Sonata for Trumpet and Piano in 2008. It is a trumpet sonata that pushes each performer to the limit. I am particularly moved by the tender and gorgeous second movement. Concerto for Two Trumpets is another stellar work for the trumpet by Erik Morales. Erik has added many valuable contributions to the trumpet’s repertoire in recent years. The honor to record this piece with my teacher, William Campbell, is one of the great privileges I’ve had. His positive influence on me as a person, mentor, and artist is profound. I treasure these two works we have recorded together. I first heard Les Noces del Manyà in July 2012. At my wife’s request, I took it to our recording session. We quickly read it and recorded it in the last 15 minutes of our final recording session. It is a gem and I dedicate it to my wife with all my love. Finally, this project wouldn’t be possible without the enormous artistic contributions of my good friend, colleague, and collaborator Ellen Elder. She is as good as they come, and I am thrilled we could create this recording together. [Jason Bergman, November 2013]

JASON BERGMAN is currently Principal Trumpet of the Mobile Symphony and Mobile Opera Orchestras, and has also been a member of the Santiago Philharmonic and Gulf Coast, Saginaw Bay and Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestras. Additionally, Bergman has performed in concert with the Canadian Brass, Rhythm & Brass, conductor David Robertson at Carnegie Hall as part of the Weill Music Institute and as a fellow at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara. Bergman has given recitals and master classes at more than 30 institutions worldwide, and has performed or presented clinics at conferences of the International Trumpet Guild (ITG), Mississippi Bandmaster’s Association and Mississippi Music Teachers Association. He has been a prizewinner in the ITG Orchestral Excerpt Competition, a nationalfinalist in the MTNA Young Artist Brass and Chamber music competitions and a semifinalist in the National Trumpet Competition. As soloist, Bergman has performed with the Garland Symphony Orchestra and the Brigham Young University Philharmonic. Committed to research, Bergman is a contributor to the Grove Dictionary of American Music (Second Edition). He is also editor of the Orchestral Section Profile for the ITG, where he is also a regular Sheet Music and Recording Reviewer. As an arranger, his work has been published by Eighth Note Publications. He is also an adjudicator with the National Trumpet Competition in Fairfax, Virginia. Bergman joined the music faculty at the University of Southern Mississippi in 2010 and two years later received the Aubrey Keith Lucas and Ella Ginn Lucas Endowment for Faculty Excellence and the College of Arts and Letters Junior Faculty Member of the Year awards. He previously taught trumpet and chamber music at Albion College, University of Michigan and the Conservatory of Music at the University of Chile. He has also been a faculty member at the Grand Valley International Trumpet Seminar and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan, the Semana de la Trompeta Peruana in Peru and at the Festival de Música de Santa Catarina in Brazil. Bergman holds a DMA in Trumpet Performance and MM degrees in Trumpet Performance and Chamber Music from the University of Michigan, and a BM degree in Trumpet Performance from Brigham Young University. His principal teachers include William Campbell, David Brown and Woody Yenne, and he has also studied with Philip Smith, Paul Merkelo and Tom Booth. Jason Bergman is performing artist for Bach Trumpets. www.jasonbergman.com

Ellen Price Elder is Assistant Professor of Piano at the University of Southern Mississippi, where she is the coordinator of the piano accompanying program, teaches class piano and collaborates with faculty and guest artists. In addition, Elder serves as founder and director of the Southern Miss Piano Institute. In 2010 she was selected to compete in the 7th International Johann Sebastian Bach Competition in Würzburg, Germany. She was also one of 37 pianists chosen to compete in the 2006 Johann Sebastian Bach International Competition in Leipzig. She has appeared as soloist with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Mississippi Symphony Chamber Orchestra and Hattiesburg City Band. Elder holds a DMA in Piano Pedagogy and Performance, MM degree in Piano Performance and Literature from the University of Michigan and her BM in Piano Performance from the University of Southern Mississippi. She has served on the faculties of the University of Michigan, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Eastern Michigan University, Schoolcraft College and William Carey University.

William Campbell performed for seven years as Principal Trumpet with the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino in Florence, Italy conducted by Zubin Mehta. Campbell also performed as soloist with Mehta, toured five continents and performed on numerous recordings. Currently the Principal Trumpet of the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, he has previously performed as principal trumpet with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Columbus Symphony Orchestra and Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra under noted conductors, including Sir Georg Solti, Riccardo Chailly, Charles Dutoit, Christopher Hogwood, Leonard Slatkin and Carlo Maria Giulini. During a tour of China, Campbell was appointed visiting guest professor of trumpet at the Shenyang Conservatory of Music. He has performed and presented master classes at over 50 universities throughout the world. He is currently Professor of Trumpet at the University of Michigan, and he has also served on the faculties at The Ohio State University and the University of Kansas.

  Kevin McKee (b.1980)
CENTENNIAL HORIZON (2011)

Antônio Guerreiro (b.1949)
THREE PIECES FOR TRUMPET AND PIANO (2011)
Morning Theme
Achernar Blues
Jongo

James Stephenson (b.1969)
CALL (2003)

John Stevens (b.1951)
SONATA FOR TRUMPET AND PIANO (2008)
Adagio maestoso – allegro agitato
Adagio espressivo
Allegro energico

Erik Morales (b.1966)
CONCERTO FOR TWO TRUMPETS (2013)
Boldly
Rubato
Allegro

José Pasqual-Vilaplana (b.1971)
LES NOCES DEL MANYÀ (2005)
 



MSR Classics