Crystal Records — Thomas Stevens, Trumpet

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Thomas Stevens retired from his position as principal trumpet player with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, a position he held for 28 years. He was described by a European publication, "Brass Bulletin," as being "undeniably one of the most important voices in the development of the trumpet in the latter part of the 20^th century," primarily for his efforts in promoting, through performance and premiere recordings, new works for solo trumpet, as well as the publication of many of his educational materials on the same subject. He was also a published/recorded composer and was an active educator throughout the world including being a faculty member at the University of Southern California, CalArts, and Music Academy of the West. Stevens died in 2018. He has five solo CDs shown below and is featured trumpet on the Los Angeles Brass Quintet CDs 102 and 109 (see below), and is featured on the Brass Ensemble CDs shown below, and Hovhaness’ Prayer of St. Gregory CD801 (see below).

 

CD122: THE VENETIAN BRASS ALBUM. Members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and San Francisco Symphony Brass sections; Peter Sacco, Tenor. Four, five, and eight part music by Andrea and Giovanni Gabrieli, Guami, Correggio, Antegnati, Frescobaldi, Chilese, Bartolino, and Lappi. With special bonus work from Peter Sacco: Three Psalms for Brass Quintet and Tenor Voice.  UPC 009414712226    BUY NOW
            Music of the 16th century lends itself very well to brass ensembles. This recording, originally released on LP in 1978, features some of the best brass players around at that time. Most of these players, including Thomas Stevens, Malcolm McNab, Miles Anderson, Jeffrey Reynolds, and Roger Bobo have become icons of excellence in the brass world. 

Sound samples (uses RealPlayer) Click on the link to hear up to one minute of the movement shown.
Ricercar Del Duodecimo Tuono   Canzon 6   Canzon Vigesima Terza a 5   Ricercar Del Sesto Tuono   Canzon Vigesima   Canzon 9   Canzon Vigesima Prima a 5   Canzon Seconda   Canzon Vigesimaquarta a 8   Canzon Trigesigesimaseconda   Canzon Trigesima a 8   Canzon 26 (La Negrona)   Canzon Vigesimatottava   Canzon Vigesimanona a 8   Psalm 13, How Long Wilt Thou Forget Me, O Lord?   Psalm 18, the Sorrows Of Death Compassed Me   Psalm 83, Keep Not Thou Silence, O God

 

 CD230: DALLAS TRUMPETS. The Dallas Symphony Trumpet section, featuring Richard Giangiulio and Andrew McCandless with Thomas Stevens and friends. Vincent Persichetti: Parable for Solo Trumpet and Parable for Two Trumpets; Henri Tomasi: Suite for Three Trumpets; Bert Truax: Adagio and Allegro; Benjamin Britten: Fanfare for St. Edmundsbury; Stanley Friedman: Antiphonia IV; Anthony Plog: Four Concert Duets; Ulysses Kay: Three Fanfares for Four Trumpets; Thomas Stevens: The Moudon Fanfares. UPC 009414723024   BUY NOW

"Required listening for the enrichment of serious students of the trumpet. Hearty thanks to the magnificent Dallas Symphony trumpet section." American Record Guide. 

Sound samples for CD230 (uses RealPlayer) Click on the link to hear up to one minute of the movement shown. 
Satie: Carillon Sonnerie   Truax:  Adagio and Allegro  Tomasi Suite:  Mvt 1(Havanaise)  Mvt 2(Lento Egeen)  Mvt 3(Danse Bolivienne)  Persichetti:  Parable for Solo Trumpet   Parable for Two Trumpets  Friedman: Antiphonia IV  Plog Duets:  Fanfare Pastoral Scherzo Dialogue    Stevens Fanfares:  Deaux a Dix  B.I.M Tranquille Clifford Epilogue   Kay: Fanfares   Britten:  Fanfare

 

 

 

CD360: Trumpeter Extraordinaire Thomas Stevens. UPC 009414736924. BUY NOW     

 

Stravinsky, Fanfare for a New Theater (w/Mario Guarneri, trumpet); Elliott Carter, Canon for Three (w/Mario Guarneri & Roy Poper, trumpets); Aurelio De La Vega, Para-Tangents (w/pre-recorded sounds); Iain Hamilton, Five Scenes (w/Ralph Grierson, piano); Henri Lazarof, Concertazioni (w/instrumental ensemble); Harold Budd, New Work #5 (w/Ralph Grierson, piano); Carlos Chávez, Soli (w/Peter Christ, oboe; David Atkins, clarinet; Kay Brightman, bassoon). This new CD has the works that Stevens recorded for Crystal LPs that had not been released previously on CD. Stevens died on July 14, 2018; this CD is a tribute to his spectacular playing.

 

"THOMAS STEVENS, TRUMPET (1938-2018), was solo trumpet with the Los Angeles Philharmonic for 28 years. He was, without a doubt, one of the world's finest brass players" said the American Record Guide.  

"He was at one and the same a virtuoso and a highly thoughtful musician. I can think of only handful who are his equal, and certainly none better" Andre Previn.  Stevens has five solo CDs.

 

Doc Severinson, writing about one of Stevens’ many Crystal recordings, wrote “I first heard Stevens’ new CD while lying down, which was a good thing since I would have fainted if I were standing. This recording clearly defines what is possible on the trumpet…in  a very artistic fashion.”

.  He has five solo CDs. See also L.A. Brass Quintet  CD102 and  CD109 under Brass Ensembles.

 

CD360 Sound samples (mp3 files) Click on the link to hear up to 35 seconds of the movement shown.
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Stravinsky: Fanfare for a New Theater     Carter: Canon for Three     De La Vega: Para-Tangents     Hamilton: Five Scenes  I. Wild   II. Nocturnal   III. Declamato   IV. Nocturnal   V. Brilliant     Lazarof: Concertazioni     Budd: New Work #5     Chávez: Soli

 

CD665: THOMAS STEVENS, TRUMPET.  Peter Maxwell Davies and George Antheil: Sonatas for Trumpet & Piano; Hans Werner Henze: Sonatina; Thomas Stevens: Triangles, Variations on a Clifford Interval, and A New Carnival of Venice for four trumpets; Henri Tomasi: Triptyque; Ibert: Impromptu; Bernstein: Rondo for Lifey; Charles Dodge: Extensions; Meyer Kupferman: Three Ideas. Zita Carno, David Wheatley, Chet Swiatkowski, piano; Charlie Shoemake, vibraphone; Barry Lieberman, bass; with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Trumpet section. “Tom Stevens is at one and the same a virtuoso and a highly thoughtful musician. I can think of only a handful of players who are his equal, and certainly none better.” Andre Previn. UPC 009414766526   BUY NOW 

Sound samples (uses RealPlayer) Click on the link to hear approximately one minute of the movement shown. 
Davies Sonata:  Mvt 1 (Allegro Moderato)   Mvt 2 (Lento)   Mvt 3 (Allegro Vivo)   Antheil Sonata:  Mvt 1 (Allegretto)   Mvt 2 (Dolce)   Mvt 3(Scherzo Vivace)   Mvt 4(Allegretto)   Stevens: Triangles  Mvt 1(Senza Misura)  Mvt 2(Quasi Lento)  Mvt 3(Presto Possibile)   Henze: Sonatina  Mvt 1(Toccata)  Mvt 2(Canzone)  Mvt 3(Segnali)   Kupferman: Three Ideas  Adagio Non Troppo  Allegro Scherzando  Lento  Dodge: Extensions   Stevens: Variations on Clifford Intervals   Stevens: A New Carnival of Venice   Bernstein: Rondo for Lifey   Tomasi: Triptyque  Scherzo  Largo  Salterelle   Ibert: Impromptu

CD667: THOMAS STEVENS, TRUMPET. Verne Reynolds: Signals (solo trumpet & tuba with brass; Roger Bobo, tuba); William Kraft: Encounters III (trumpet, percussion); Chou Wen-chung: Soliloquy of a Bhiksuni (solo trumpet, brass, percussion);  Robert Henderson: Variation Movements (trumpet solo); Silvestre Revueltas: Two Little Serious Pieces (trumpet & woodwinds: Westwood Wind Quintet); Frank Campo: Times (trumpet solo); Meyer Kupferman: Fires of Prometheus (trumpet & piano). Stevens is solo trumpet with Los Angeles Philharmonic. “...excellent pieces. Performances entertaining to incredible. Without a doubt, one of the world's finest brass players.” American Record Guide  
UPC 009414766724    BUY NOW    

Sound samples (uses RealPlayer) Click on the link to hear approximately one minute of the movement shown. 
Reynolds:  Signals    Kraft Encounters:  Mvt 1 (Strategy)   Mvt 2 (Truce of God)   Mvt 3 (Tactics)   Wen-Chung: Soliloquy   Henderson: Variation Movements  Theme  Very Fast  Slow  Fast and Rhythmic   Revueltas: Two Little Serious Pieces  Allegro  Tempo di Valse   Campo: Good Times  Time to Go   Kupferman: Fires of Prometheus

 

CD761: THOMAS STEVENS, TRUMPET. Hindemith: Trumpet Sonata; Bozza: Caprice, Lied, and Badinage; Ropartz: Andante & Allegro; Barat: Andante & Scherzo; Borden: Six Dialogues for Trumpet & Trombone; Lewis: Monophony VII for Unaccompanied Trumpet; Poulenc: Sonata for Trumpet, Horn, & Trombone (with John Cerminaro, horn; Ralph Sauer, trombone); Zita Carno, piano. “...technical & musical bravura. Sensational." InTune Magazine
UPC 009414776129   BUY NOW 

Sound samples (uses RealPlayer) Click on the link to hear approximately one minute of the movement shown. 
Hindemith Sonata:  Mvt 1 (Mit Kraft)   Mvt 2 (Maasig bewegt)   Mvt 3 (Trauermusik & Chorale)   Bozza: Caprice   Ropartz : Andante and  Allegro   Barat: Andante  and  Scherzo   Bozza: Lied   Bozza: Badinage   Poulenc: Sonata  Allegro Moderato  Andante  Rondeau   Borden: Six Dialogues  Allegro  Allegro  Andante and Un Poco Allegretto  Con Giorralita  Majestic  Allegretto   Lewis: Monophony VII

  

 

CD960: PHILHARMONIC STANDARD TIME.  Thomas Stevens, Trumpet; Terry Trotter, Piano; Tom Warrington, Bass; Ralph Penland, Drums. Thomas Stevens, principal trumpet, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and friends improvise jazz renditions of songs by composers previously affiliated with Los Angeles Philharmonic: John Green, Bronislaw Kaper, David Raksin, Victor Scherzinger, Henry Mancini, Ferde Grofe. Out of Nowhere, Body and Soul, Invitation, I Cover the Waterfront, While My Lady Sleeps, Laura, Tangerine, Two for the Road, Sylvia, On the Trail. “...thoroughly recommended." Jazz Journal International 
UPC 009414796028    BUY NOW

CD960 Sound samples (mp3 files) Click on the link to hear up to 35 seconds of the movement shown.
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John Green  Out of Nowhere   Body and Soul     Bronislaw Kaper  Invitation     John Green  I Cover the Waterfront     Bronislaw Kaper  While My Lady Sleeps     David Raskin  Laura     Victor Scherzinger  Tangerine     Henry Mancini  Two for the Road     David Raskin  Sylvia     Ferde Grofe  On the Trail

 

 

CD801: MUSIC OF HOVHANESS.  Symphony No.11: All Men Are Brothers, Prayer of St. Gregory (Thomas Stevens, trumpet), Armenian Rhapsody No.1,  Tzaikerk. Royal Philharmonic, with Hovhaness conducting, and Crystal Chamber Orchestra, with Ernest Gold conducting. UPC 009414780126 >ORDER NOW

Sound samples (uses RealPlayer) Click on the link to hear approximately one minute of the movement shown. 
Symphony No. 11      Armenian Rhapsody      Prayer of St. Gregory      Tzaikerk

 

CD102: When the first LP of the Los Angeles Brass Quintet was released in 1967 it set high standards to which other quintets could strive. This recording introduced fabulous trumpeter Thomas Stevens and tuba player Roger Bobo to the world, along with Miles Anderson on trombone, Mario Guarneri on trumpet, and Ralph Pyle on horn. Now on Compact Disc with additional pieces from the LABQ’s 2nd LP, the playing still proves to be some of the best brass playing anywhere.  

This CD, CD102,  features Paganini Three Caprices, Bartok Suite from For Children, Wilder Brass Quintet No. 1, Hindemith Morgenmusik, Schmidt Variations on a Negro Folk Song, Cheetham Scherzo, and pieces by J.S. Bach, and Pezel. UPC 009414710222  BUY NOW    

“Brass quintet playing at a near peerless level can be heard on this CD release of LP recordings from 1967 and 1968 by the Los Angeles Brass Quintet…Despite the passing of decades, the Los Angeles Brass Quintet recordings still present an exceptional level of performance.”  International Trombone Association Journal (Greg Spiridopoulos)

The players were all members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the time this recording was made. Formed in 1966, the LABQ toured the U.S. and Europe, playing its last concert in 1975, At the time they retired from the orchestra, Thomas Stevens had been principal trumpet for 25 years; Roger Bobo tubist for 25 years. All of the players had long tenures with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and continued after retirement from the orchestra to perform and teach throughout the world.

Stevens and Bobo have four solo CDs each on Crystal Records. They are considered some of the finest solo brass recordings ever made.

 

CD102 Sound samples (mp3 files) Click on the link to hear up to 35 seconds of the movement shown.
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Pezel: Five Dances  I. Intrade   II. Sarabande   III. Bal   IV. Sarabande   V. Gigue    Paganini: Three Caprices  I. Moderato   II. Sostenuto, Andante   III. Theme and Variations    Bartók: Suite from “For Children”  I. Children at Play   II. Children’s Song   III. Play   IV. Children’s Game   V. Study for the Left Hand   VI. Quasi Adagio   VII. Allegro Robusto    Wilder: Brass Quintet  I. Trumpet Prelude   II. Horn Elegy   III. Tuba Showpiece   IV. Trombone Lyric   V. Toccata   VI. Finale    Hindemith: Morgenmusik  I. Massig Bewegt   II. Langsame Viertel   III. Bewegt    Bach: Fantasie in C Major   Air pour les Trompettes   Prelude & Fugue in E Minor    Schmidt: Variations of a Negro Folk Song  I. Theme   II. Fanfare   III. Ostinato   IV. Chorale   V. March   VI. Fugato    Cheetham: Scherzo

 

 

Another LP classic on CD from the Los Angeles Brass Quintet, now with the Los Angeles Percussion Ensemble; Stanley Chaloupka, Harp; and Sharon Davis, Piano.
CD109: The third LP from the Los Angeles Brass Quintet, released in 1974, also garnered attention for its spectacular playing and exciting repertoire. Now on CD109, the playing and recording quality are still among the best. Brass performers, same as on the first LABQ LP and CD, are fabulous trumpeter Thomas Stevens and tuba player Roger Bobo, along with Miles Anderson on trombone, Mario Guarneri on trumpet, and Ralph Pyle on horn. The Los Angeles Percussion Ensemble, the brass players, and Stanley Chaloupka, harpist, were all members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the time this recording was made. Sharon Davis is a famous recording artist and touring pianist.

CD109. William Kraft, Nonet for Brass Quintet and Percussion; Frank Campo, Madrigals for Brass Quintet; Rayner Brown, Concertino for Harp and Brass Quintet; William Schmidt, Concertino for Piano and Brass Quintet.  UPC 009414710925  BUY NOW    

These works were all written for the Los Angeles Brass Quintet. The Kraft Nonet is unique in its instrumentation and its 22 minutes are an exciting listening experience. Rayner Brown was Dean and State Chairman of the American Guild of Organists. He wrote a wonderfully listenable piece for this recording. William Schmidt is well known for his hundreds of works for brass and woodwinds, which are staples in the repertoire for concerts throughout the world. Frank Campo was a Professor at California State University Northridge for 25 years, and his many works are performed regularly.

CD109 Sound samples (mp3 files) Click on the link to hear up to 35 seconds of the movement shown.
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Kraft: Nonet for Brass Quintet  I. Presto   II. Andante   III. Interlude 1 – Scherzo a Tre   IV. Allegretto; quasi Scherzando   V. Interlude 2 –Scherzo a Quatro   VI. Maestoso e Rubato     Campo: Madrigals  I. Indifference   II. Unrequited Love   III. Aria Perduta     Brown: Concertino for Harp and Brass Quintet  I. Allegretto   II. Adagio   III. Allegro con brio   IV. Adagio   V. Allegretto     Schmidt: Concertino for Piano and Brass Quintet  I. Allegro con Brio   II. Largo   III. Allegro con Spirito 

 

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