haydn's trumpet concerto in e flat major

Secondly, because this was written late in Haydn's career, it is fully mature in its classical style with the bassoon separate from the continuo and the viola separate from the bass.Īgain, as a trumpet player, I chose this piece because of the landmark that it provides in the instrument's history. The most obvious difference is the use of the keyed trumpet which is able to play chromatically. Also, the second movement is written in A-flat, the subdominant key relative to the first and third movements which is also typical of the Classical concerto. Harmonically, Haydn rarely strays from very Classical motion making use of I-IV-V-I and I-ii-V-I progressions.

Although the piece does use harmonic structure for the basis of the melodic line, Haydn mostly features the instrument's chromatic ability.Īs is always the case with Haydn, the piece uses an extensive dynamic range that is often intended to grab the audience's attention. Audiences were expected to be disappointed at the traditional use of the chromatically capable instrument. Before the trumpet solo begins, it plays a short fanfare in the introduction that uses only the notes available to the natural trumpet. The piece is scored for an E-flat trumpet, and orchestra accompaniment to include strings, two flutes, two oboes, two bassoons, two horns, two (natural) trumpets, and timpani.Īs is typical with the Classical concerto, the first movement features a lengthy introduction, in which Haydn inserts his first joke. The piece in written in three movements typical of the Classical concerto with the first movement in Concerto form, that makes use of elements of ritornello form of the late Baroque period and sonata form, and the final movement in rondo.

Haydn wrote his trumpet concerto for Weidinger in 1796 making use of the new ability for the trumpet to play chromatically. For the first time, the trumpet was no longer limited to the diatonic notes of the natural trumpet. In the late 18th century, Viennese court trumpeter Anton Weidinger developed the world's first keyed trumpet.

Haydn's trumpet concerto in e flat major