IVAN JEVTIC (b.1947): Trumpet Concertos Nos. 1 and 2 (Belgrade Philhlarmonic Orchestra; Ola Rudner. Original 2002 Mandala release), Que le jour est beau for Piccolo Trumpet and String Orchestra (Novi Sad Chamber Orchestra; Vesna Souc), Thème & 3 variations for Trumpet and 2 Brass Quintets (Vertige and Feeling Brass brass quintets), DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975): Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 35 (Roustem Saïtkouloff [piano], Orchestre des Pays de Savoie; Nicolas Chalvin]).
Catalogue Number: 01S037
Label: Indesens
Reference: IND089
Format: CD
Price: $18.98
Description: The Serbian/French composer's two fine, readily approachable trumpet concertos alone are sufficient to make this a most attractive disc. The coupling with the Shostakovich is very apt, as Jevtic's style is very reminiscent of that of the Soviet master; aside from passages directly reminiscent of the piano and trumpet concerto, Shostakovich's film and ballet scores are not infrequently called to mind. Both concertos are in the traditional three-movement form, with dramatic, energetic outer movements and serious slow movements with a sense of Bartókian night music. Both pieces provide ample opportunity for virtuosic display by the soloist, but neither is merely a diverting showpiece; in their succinct span both have a lively sense of narrative drama and emotional range, progressing toward exuberant finales. Que le jour est beau is an attractive suite of five movements based on what sounds like French folksong or troubador songs, though in the absence of useful documentation it's hard to tell. The harmonic vocabulary is again Shostakovich-like. The composer is drawn to brass sonorities, and nowhere is this more evident than the brass ensemble Theme and Variations. The theme is hymnlike; the variations in turn exuberant, an impressive processional with solo fanfares, and propulsively vigorous. Eric Aubier (trumpet).