Thomas Stevens (trumpeter)
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Thomas Stevens (July 29, 1938 – July 14, 2018)[1] was an American trumpeter, composer, and author. He was principal trumpet with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra[2] from 1972 to 1999. Stevens has been internationally recognized for his contributions to the development of advanced 20th century (classical) solo trumpet music and contemporary brass instrument performance practices as the result of his many solo and chamber music performances, recordings,[3] published articles, educational music publications, and teaching activities.
Career
World premiere concerts
- Henri Lazarof, Spectrum (w/Utah Symphony Orchestra, Salt Lake City, 1974)
- Luciano Berio, Sequenza X (w/Los Angeles Philharmonic New Music Group, 1984)
World premiere recordings
- Frank Campo Times (1971)
- Iain Hamilton Five Scenes (1971)
- Robert Henderson Variation Movements (1971)
- William Kraft Encounters III (1971)
- Aurelio De La Vega Para-Tangents (1973)
- Henri Lazarof Spectrum (1974)
- Chou Wen-Chung Soliloquy of a Bhiksuni (1975)
- Verne Reynolds Signals (1978)
- Hans Werner Henze Sonatina (1981)
Solo and chamber music recordings
Compilations
- Thomas Stevens Trumpet Crystal Records CD665
- Thomas Stevens Trumpet Crystal Records CD 667
- Thomas Stevens Trumpet Crystal Records CD 761
- Philharmonic Standard Time Crystal Records CD 960
- French Chamber Music (St. Saens Septet w/André Previn) RCA Red Seal 09026-68181-2
- Classic American Songbook (w/André Previn) DRG CD 5222 (1992) reissued mp3 Gossamer Wings Music (2008)
Solos recorded with orchestra
- Concertos in Contrast (Haydn Trumpet Concerto) Decca Eloquence 466 683 2
- Henri Lazarof Spectrum for Trumpet and Tape (w/Utah Symphony Orchestra) CRI CD 588
- Masters of the Trumpet (Bach Brandenburg #2) Deutsche Grammophon B0005042-02
- Music of Alan Hovhaness (Prayer of St, Gregory) Crystal Records 801
- Alan Hovhaness (Avak the Healer) Crystal Records 806
- Shostakovich Piano Concerto #1 (w/Bronfman/Salonen/LAP) Sony Classical SK60677
Published compositions
- The Moudon Fanfares (Wimbledon Music (Century City, California 1979)
- Variations on Clifford Intervals (Editions BIM 1983)
- A New Carnival of Venice (1985) Alphons Leduc, Paris 1985, copyright reassigned Editions BIM, Switzerland (2008)
- Variations in Olden Style (Editions BIM 1989)
- Triangles I (Editions BIM 1992)
- Triangles II "Segnali" (Editions BIM 1988 revised/published 2010)
- Triangles III "Encore Doc" (Editions BIM 1992)
- Triangles IV (Editions BIM 1994)
- Igor's Dance (Editions BIM 2001)
- Eight Studies for Eight Trumpets (Editions BIM 1999)
- Four Little Pieces (Editions BIM 2005)
- Aria con Variazoni (Editions BIM 2006 )
Recorded compositions and arrangements
- The Moudon Fanfares: Dallas Trumpets (Crystal Records CD 230)
- A New Carnival of Venice: Thomas Stevens with Los Angeles Philharmonic Trumpet Section (Crystal Records CD 665)
- Triangles I: Thomas Stevens (Crystal Records CD 665)
- Variations in Olden Style (w/keyboard accompaniment): Roger Bobo Tuba Libera (Crystal Records CD690)
- Variations in Olden Style (w/orchestra accompaniment): Oystein Baadsvik (Bis Records 2003)
- Variations in Olden Style (w/keyboard accompaniment): Stepane Labeyrie (Octavia Records 2007)
- My Funny Valentine: Håkan Hardenberger with The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Orchestra (Bis SACD 1814)
Educational publications
Original Materials:
- Contemporary Trumpet Studies (Billaudot, Paris 1975)
- Changing Meter Studies (Editions BIM 1980)
- Contemporary Interval Studies (Editions BIM 1981)
As editor/compiler:
- 48 Lyrical Studies (Editions BIM 1997)
- James Stamp Warm Ups and Studies (Editions BIM 4th Edition 2005)
- James Stamp Supplemental Studies (Editions BIM 2008)
- After Schlossberg (Editions BIM 2011)
Other significant musical affiliations
- Los Angeles Brass Quintet (1966–73)
- Festival Casals of Puerto Rico (1975)
- Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center (1994)
- Orchestra for World Peace (Solti) (1995)
- Center for Advanced Musical Studies, Chosen Vale (2005-2013)
Awards
In 1996, Stevens received the "Alumnus of the Year" award from the University of Southern California (Thornton) School of Music, where he had done his undergraduate studies, and in 2007 he received a Certificate of Special Recognition from the United States Congress in recognition of outstanding and invaluable service to the community.
References
External links
- Thomas Stevens information website
- International Trumpet Guild May, 1991, p. 37
- http://www.latimes.com/ Luciano Berio interview, November 13, 1984, Part VI p. 2
- https://web.archive.org/web/20051212181727/http://www.brass-bulletin.com/ (archives)
- http://www.Editions-Bim.com
- http://www.CrystalRecords.com