Hello class, and welcome to the Brass Module. Here, I'll present and discuss the brass family of instruments within the symphony orchestra. Today, the trumpet is center stage.
The fascinating story of the trumpet is on full display from its early beginnings as a biblical instrument to becoming a member of the symphony and the jazz orchestra. Let us go back to remote times with early Roman, Greek, and Egyptian civilizations, which employed trumpet-like instruments for their religious, military, and religious purposes. and solemn objectives and rituals.
Some of the early trumpets were made from animal bones, eventually evolving into metal designs. In the evolution of the trumpet, new elements were added, such as curving their long tubes to reduce the size of the instruments and adding a bell at the end of it to project the sound further. We see that during the Middle Ages, the trumpet underwent a series of improvements from its early designs.
One of the main improvements was the switch from carved holes to valves. which allowed for more precise intonation. Performers could then exercise better control over the instrument and apply sound techniques to increase its musical range.
The Renaissance began in the 1500s, and the trumpet blossomed as a symbol of power, distinction, and prominence. Its use in the church and in royal courts increased. Many composers of the period, such as Monteverdi and Porcel, wrote festive and august music to announce the entrance of the royals or religious authorities.
The brilliant tone and powerful sound of the trumpet added to its distinction and presence in noble circles. Centuries later, during the Baroque, brass makers added new improvements to the instrument. Creating new valves and mouthpieces allowed performers to tackle more complex and sophisticated music. Trumpet virtuosi displayed their ability to play sounds that fascinated audiences with celestial sounds.
Nevertheless, some even feared the trumpet's apocalyptic myths. which made some believe that its powerful sound could signal the end of times. Two very significant improvements to the trumpet were introduced in Germany.
Heinrich Stolzl and Friedrich Blumel are credited with modifying the valve system to allow the trumpet to play chromatic passages easily. From the use of pistons to the use of valves, the trumpet had moved to a more stable place in the music world. The popularity of this new system inspired many composers such as Haydn, Hummel, and later Mahler and Arrutunian to write monumental concerti and orchestral solos.
Undoubtedly, these works increased the instrument's stock and reputation on the concert stage. The evolution of the trumpet continued through the 20th century with improvements in metal alloys and developments of new materials such as titanium. These new materials change the instrument's sound color and projection in many positive ways. Today's trumpets are made from many different materials besides their most used ones, such as silver and bronze.
Additionally, the trumpet has expanded its use to other new genres of music, such as jazz, pop, and many other contemporary musical styles. The popularity of the instrument increased to an all-time high. It is worth noting that the price of a new trumpet is of great consideration.
However, it does not compare to the price of an antique violin or any other centuries-old string instrument, which ranges in the six figures and sometimes in the millions. Such could be the case for the price of a Stradivarius violin. Among the most recognized and respected list of 20th century trumpet artists, we find a number of legendary performers, including Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Wynton Marsalis, Maurice Andre, and many more.
These artists helped develop the trumpet's range and reputation and turned it into an instrument with many advocates and representatives. As we arrive at the end of our presentation, I am sure you have learned valuable historical information about the trumpet along with its use in our current musical scene. Marching bands, pop bands, jazz groups, and symphony orchestras all use the trumpet as an important instrument.
The trumpet is found in every space dedicated to music. It is a required voice in any group because it allows the performer to express various feelings and emotions. I trust that this overview of the trumpet has shown you its worth and importance. We'll cover many other facts in the next section.
But for now, let us celebrate the trumpet's sounds with joy and jubilance. The trumpet is always one of my favorite sounds. It adds to my appreciation of music. and my recognition of the power of human expression through the music that it produces.