Click here to download a recently-revised catalog of Stephenson's music for trumpet.
Trumpet with keyboard
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Sonatafor trumpet and piano
Matt Sonneborn performs 'Sonata for Trumpet' at ITG, 2007.
Hear Richard Stoelzel play 'Sonata for Trumpet:' Maestoso | Lento | Vivo
ITG ReviewITG, May 31, 2007
The concert concluded with the piece that Stephenson said “started it all,” his Sonata for Trumpet and Piano. Originally commissioned by Richard Stoelzel in 2000, the piece was performed by Matthew Sonneborn, principal trumpeter of the Naples Philharmonic and pianist Rebecca Wilt. Full of soaring melodies, dazzling virtuosity, and cinematic grandeur, the Sonata is destined to become an instant classic. Sonneborn played with commanding skill, passionate intensity and a gorgeous, rich sound while Wilt filled the unusually large performance hall with dynamic pianism. The audience rewarded the performers and the composer with an enthusiastic ovation.
Elisa Koehler
Price $25.00 -
Fantasiefor trumpet and piano
Paul Merkelo performs "Fantasie" at ITG, 2007.
Hear Paul Merkelo play 'Fantasie for trumpet and piano'
ITG ReviewITG, May 31, 2007
Paul Merkelo returned to perform another work that Stephenson had written for him, Fantasie for Trumpet and Piano. Composed in 2005 as an homage to the late Timofei Dokshizer, Stephenson deftly captured the spirit of Russian Romanticism in a lush, waltz-like movement featuring bravura piano playing from Rebecca Wilt. Merkelo dazzled with passages of trumpet gymnastics, a dramatic cadenza, and a tour de force finale brimming with breathtaking virtuosity.
Elisa Koehler
Program NotesIn the Spring of 2005, while Paul was visiting me in Florida, we finally solidified a long-discussed idea of a new composition for him to premiere. Paul and I have known one another since our childhood days in the Chicago area, and so the opportunity to compose something for him is nothing less than a true joy and true honor.
He initiated the idea that the piece should pay homage to one of the long-time greats in the trumpet world, Timofei Dokshizer, who had recently passed. Growing up as a trumpeter myself, Dokshizer had a great impact on my musical development, and, in fact I was given several of his albums by one of my first trumpet teachers, Peter Labella, who had died several years before, and much too young.
The piece, then, is a tribute on many levels. First to my friend, Paul, who is a constant source of inspiration and character. It is, of course, dedicated to Mr. Dokshizer, whose impact on the trumpet and music world, and my early love of the trumpet, is immeasurable. It also is written with remembrance to Mr. Labella, who had the insight to recognize my love of music, and gave me his depth of knowledge that has stayed with me to this day.
When Paul first mentioned the idea of writing the tribute piece, I was immediately struck with ideas on how to construct the piece. I wanted to write a piece that would be reminiscent of the old recordings: the concert waltzes, scherzos and dances that he played so touchingly and delicately, yet with his inimitable Russian flair. I wanted to step back, and not try to produce sounds no one has ever heard before, but yet to create something that sounded as if it has always been there---something where the audience could just sit back, relax, enjoy, and give thanks to the legacy of the great musical mastery of Timofei Dokshizer.
Jim Stephenson, June, 2005
Price $20.00 -
Trio Sonatafor violin, trumpet and piano
Eric Tanner, Rebecca Wilt and Richard Stoelzel
perform "Trio Sonata" at ITG, 2007.ITG ReviewITG, May 31, 2007
Stephenson's Trio Sonata for Trumpet, Violin, and Piano was performed by Richard Stoelzel on C trumpet along with violinist Eric Tanner and pianist Rebecca Wilt. The opening movement featured a spacious, lyrical trumpet melody and busy, motoric figuration for the violin and piano. The central slow movement highlighted an introspective dialog for cup muted trumpet and violin over a tango-like accompaniment in the piano. The last movement, titled Con fiero ("Devil's Mischief") invited comparisons to Stravinsky’s Soldier’s Tale with its bouncy multi-meter sections, gypsy violin writing, and flashes of trumpet wizardry.
Elisa Koehler
Price $25.00 -
Sound and Furyfor trumpet and organ
Marc Reese and Douglas Major
perform "Sound and Fury" at ITG, 2007.Hear Marc Reese and Douglas Major play 'Sound and Fury'
ITG ReviewITG, June 1, 2007
Stephenson also wrote a piece for this duo who gave the world premiere today. Entitled 'Reese’s Piece' (subtitled 'Sound and Fury'), the work began with a lovely trumpet melody accompanied by a rich harmonic palette. The Sound gave way to Fury as the pulse quickened and grew more dissonant. Its opening melodic material was brought back bringing the piece to a restful conclusion. Reese and Major performed the work as if they’d played it for years. 'Reese’s Piece' is a wonderful new —- and very accessible —- addition to the repertoire. It is, no doubt, enjoyable for performer to play and is certainly a treat for the listener.
John Irish
Price $20.00 -
Glimmers of Hopefor trumpet and organ
Richard Watson (with Douglas Major, organ)
performs "Glimmers of Hope" at ITG, 2007.Hear Richard Watson and Douglas Major play 'Glimmers of Hope'
ITG ReviewITG, May 30, 2007
The recital ended wtih James Stephenson's Glimmers of Hope, a work commissioned by Richard Watson in 2005, and performed by him on trumpet with Douglas Major on organ. In the composer's own words, "Glimmers reflects the plight of an optimist in today's world." Commencing with a series of fanfares that gradually fall off only to rise again, each time a bit higher, this work brings the audience through a series of events that eventually transcend the doubt created by the falling offs and the use of non-chord tones that the composer inserts to create a sense of tension to finally end with an affirmation of the human spirit and the "winning out" of the optimist's spirit. This was a great, uplifting way to end a long but satisfying recital.
Gary Mortenson
Price $20.00 -
Toys are People Toofor piccolo trumpet and organ
Price $15.00 -
Bagatellefor piccolo trumpet with piano or organ
Hear a synthesized playback of 'Bagatelle'
Price $15.00
Trumpet with orchestra or band
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Concertofor trumpet with orchestra, concert band, or piano
Jeff Work performs "Concerto for Trumpet"
at the ITG, 2007, opening concert.
Jeff Work performs "Concerto for Trumpet" at the ITG, 2007, opening concert.
Hear Jeffrey Work play 'Concerto for Trumpet' at its premiere in Boston: I. Adagio; Allegro | II. Allegro con brio
ITG ReviewITG, May 29, 2007
The first soloist of the evening, Jeffrey Work, performed Concerto for Trumpet by James M. Stephenson with flawless accuracy, control, and great endurance. This extended two-movement work included beautiful lyrical lines, lots of multiple tonguing demands, and several recitative-like cadenzas. The concerto is wonderfully accessible in its harmonic language and was a real joy for the audience to listen to as played so brilliantly by Work. In this composition Stephenson has crafted an excellent piece of music with beautifully developed motivic ideas and a variety of textures that work as long as the soloist, ensemble, and director are all in top form, and on this evening, that was truly the case. The second movement, in particular, seemed to combine elements of a Herbert L. Clarke solo into a wonderfully modern context. The result was a technical tour-de-force that was greeted with great enthusiasm by the audience upon its conclusion. Well done!
Gary Mortenson
Trumpet part $10.00 Contact composer for parts rental
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Duo Fantastiquefor two solo trumpets and concert band
Charles Schlueter and Eric Berlin perform "Duo Fantastique"
at the ITG, 2007, opening concert.Hear Charles Schlueter and Eric Berlin in the ITG premiere of 'Duo Fantastique'
ITG ReviewITG, May 31, 2007
After intermission, Charles Schlueter and Eric Berlin took the stage to perform Duo Fantastique by James Stephenson. Berlin and Stephenson were both students of Charles Schlueter at the New England Conservatory. This piece was made possible by a generous grant from the Charles Schlueter Foundation. How thrilling it must have been for these former students to have this opportunity to collaborate with their mentor. In a theme and variation form, the Duo was wonderfully light-hearted, but presented with great musicality, control, and accuracy by the two soloists. Toward the middle of the work Schlueter presented an extended lyrical passage that was stunning in its musicality and attention to line through impeccable phrasing.
Gary Mortenson
Price $100.00 -
Cousinsfor trumpet, saxophone and orchestra
Rodney Mack, Branford Marsalis, Pak and Stephenson
at the July 15, 2007, premiere of 'Cousins'
Jung-Ho Pak conducts Interlochen's World Youth Symphony
at the July 15, 2007, premiere of 'Cousins'Listen to the premiere of 'Cousins' featuring Branford Marsalis and Rodney Mack with the Interlochen World Youth Symphony Orchestra
Record-Eagle ReviewWorld Youth Symphony, guests shine
By JOE RICE
Special to the Record-Eagle
Sunday evening's World Youth Symphony Orchestra concert was a particularly rare one for performers and audience alike.
Celebrated saxophonist Branford Marsalis was the featured soloist "" a first for him at Interlochen. Marsalis made his mark first as a cutting-edge jazz musician, but like his equally well-known brother Wynton, Branford plays music all across the spectrum.
In this concert, he was featured soloist in music by classical composers Giacomo Puccini and Gustav Mahler. Then the focal point of the evening was a world premiere composition by Interlochen alumnus James Stephenson, "Concerto for Saxophone and Trumpet." This work also featured trumpeter Rodney Mack, who is a second cousin to Branford and one of Stephenson's best friends.
Mack is a formidable virtuoso. He's studied with his cousin, soloed with the Boston Pops and a number of other orchestras around the world and is principal trumpet for the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia.
One of the strengths of conductor Jung-Ho Pak is his more adventurous way of programming for the WYSO. The concert opened with Igor Stravinsky's "Greeting Prelude," an angular version of "Happy Birthday" to celebrate the 80th season of the Interlochen Arts Camp (originally called the National Music Camp). Then Marsalis was invited on stage to perform the two classical works Puccini's "Denaro! Nient'altro che denaro!" the lovely aria for mezzo soprano from the opera La Rondine, and Mahler's "Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen" ("I was misplaced in the world"), the moving melody Mahler took from the five Ruckert lieder. Here, Marsalis played soprano saxophone with great subtlety and sensitivity. The Puccini work in treble meter was sweet and lyrical. His entrance in the Mahler came out of nowhere, blending into the softness of the strings so that his tone emerged out of the violin sound. His vibrato and the purity of his tone showed another side to this remarkable musician "" and in contrast to his hard-driving jazz style.
Then, without further comment from the conductor, Marsalis and Mack entered the stage, each loaded with instruments "" Marsalis with alto and tenor saxes and Mack with a C trumpet, a B-flat cornet and a piccolo trumpet.
Stephenson's composition is built in three sections, quick, slow and quick. In it, I heard rhythms and harmonies that echoed the music of Paul Creston and Frank Martin. Those were, I think, tips of the hat to composers worthy of acknowledgement, but the music in this piece stands on its own. While it may not be considered groundbreaking in form or style, it is quite original. Each section includes conversational moments between sax and trumpet and other moments of delicious solo work that required virtuosic technique from both soloists. The opening section dances along in jaunty fashion with soloists exchanging comments, then coming together in harmony. The middle section is quite lyrical, offering each one ample time for melodious expression. The third section is a lively dance, which calls for a high level of skill.
The solo parts throughout the piece are well thought out, and offer both musical and technical challenges to each. And the orchestra accompaniment provides a subtle but solid backdrop for the solos, but also has its moments in the sun. The work is very listenable, and as these two soloists continue their collaborations, this concerto will be a favorite. There is a very short list of good double concerto works for trumpet and saxophone. Branford and Mack complement each other musically, and I'm certain that when they collaborate again, it will include this work.
It was annoying and disappointing that no mention of the composer's background, his connection to the soloists or his importance to Interlochen was made in the printed program and, at the end of the performance, he was not brought up on the stage to share in the well-deserved standing ovation. Stephenson is one of many alums of the Interlochen Arts Camp and graduates of the Interlochen Arts Academy who have distinguished themselves as world-class artists. He has established himself as an arranger, composer and professional trumpet player, and this world premiere performance certainly deserved recognition for him every bit as much as the two soloists, conductor and orchestra. All he got was a handshake at the foot of the stage, so only a few people in the audience even saw who he was.
The WYSO closed the concert with Leonard Bernstein's Symphonic Dances from "West Side Story." To say the least, it was electric and thrilling. Maestro Pak is an energetic conductor, and the orchestra responds with equal amounts of energy. The alternating moments of quiet intensity and passion and the fiery, sometimes vicious times where the Sharks and Jets are in conflict, were powerful.
The soloists in the orchestra were worth noting. Xylophone, timpani, drumset, the principal strings (violins, viola and cello), each member of the brass and the principal woodwinds all stood out. Bernstein's music is always a handful, especially if you're a high school musician, and these young people were up to the task. It meant the audience stood in loud and enthusiastic appreciation once more at the end.
Joe Rice, of Traverse City, is a former high school band and orchestra director and current member of Encore Wind Symphony
Contact composer for parts rental
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Tribute to Louis Armstrongfor trumpet and orchestra
Contact composer for parts rental
Trumpet miscellaneous
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Fanfarefor three solo trumpets:
2 b-flat piccolo and 1 b-flat
Rene Hernandez, Richard Stoelzel and Paul Merkelo
perform "Fanfare for Three Trumpets" at ITG, 2007.Listen to 'Fanfare for Three Trumpets' as performed by Paul Merkelo, Rich Stoelzel, and Rene Hernandez at ITG 2007.
ITG ReviewITG, May 31, 2007
The first piece, Fanfare for Three Trumpets, received a brilliant performance from Paul Merkelo, Richard Stoelzel, and Rene Hernandez playing two piccolo trumpets and a B flat trumpet, respectively. Stephenson explained that the 30-second fanfare was written in 1995 for a classical radio station in Rochester, New York at the request of Paul Merkelo, Stephenson’s friend since high school, who had at the time just become principal trumpet of the Rochester Philharmonic.
Elisa Koehler
Price $10.00 -
Three Impromptusfor unaccompanied trumpet
or trumpet and pianoPrice $15.00 -
Callfor unaccompanied trumpet
Price $10.00 -
Bold, Bright and Bluefor solo trumpet, 6 ensemble trumpets
and timpani
Stephenson conducts "Bold, Blue and Bright" at ITG, 2007. Performers are (l. to r.): Eric Berlin, Rene Hernandez, Richard Watson, Eduardo Leandro, Marc Reese, Jeffrey Work, Matthew Sonneborn and Charles Schlueter.
ITG ReviewITG, May 31, 2007
The next work, Bold, Blue and Bright, was a trumpet ensemble commissioned by Mark Reese from the Empire Brass. Scored for seven trumpets and timpani, it was designed to be a companion piece to the famous Baroque work by Altenburg for that same instrumentation. Only the second movement, Blue, was performed on this program. As its name implies, the work was an introspective, sultry work with changing textures created by the use of various mutes for ensemble parts and contrasting solo lines played without mutes. The timpani added subtle color.
Elisa Koehler
Price $30.00 -
Vignettesfor trumpet and percussion
Eric Berlin, trumpet, and Eduardo Leandro, percussion,
perform "Vignettes for Trumpet and Percussion" at ITG, 2007.Listen to Eric Berlin and Eduardo Leandro perform 'Vignettes:' Running with Lionel | Chasing Igor | Chuck's March | Dinner with Andre | Waltz in Berlin | Moto Perpetuo | Max
A review in "Audiophile Audition" web magazine.
A review in "Sequenza21" online site for Contemporary Classical Music.
ITG ReviewITG, May 31, 2007
Conference host Eric Berlin joined the program to perform [four movements from] Stephenson’s Vignettes for Trumpet and Percussion with Eduardo Leandro on percussion. Each of the . . . movements paired the trumpet with a single percussion instrument. The finale, “Dinner with Andre,” was a particular highlight featuring Berlin’s piccolo pyrotechnics and Leandro’s astonishing tambourine playing. This charming, witty piece was a big hit with the audience, eliciting infectious applause after many of the individual movements.
Elisa Koehler
Price $25.00
Brass Quintet
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Fanfare and Marchfor double brass quintet
Watch Gustavo Dudamel, the newly appointed Music Director Designate of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, conduct 'Fanfare and March'
Price $40.00 -
Now You Knowfor brass quintet
Price $20.00 -
Initial Questfor brass quintet
Price $20.00 -
Overture for Brassfor brass quintet
Price $15.00 -
Jazz Interludefor brass quintet with soprano
Price $20.00
Horn
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Three Impromptusfor horn and piano
Price $15.00 -
Horn Quintetfor horn and string quartet
Price $20.00
Trombone
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Sonatafor trombone and piano
Listen to Mark Hetzler play 'Sonata for trombone and piano' I. Lento | II. Intermezzo | III. Wild
Price $25.00 -
Concerto "Braziliano"for trombone and orchestra
Listen to Nitzan Haroz play Concerto Braziliano with the St. Barts Festival Orchestra, conducted by Alex Klein
Contact composer for parts rental
Euphonium
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Fantasiefor euphonium and piano
Price $20.00 -
Callfor unaccompanied euphonium
Price $10.00 -
Concerto "Braziliano"for euphonium and orchestra
Contact composer for parts rental
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Sonatafor euphonium and piano
Listen to 'Sonata for euphonium and piano:' 1st movement | 2nd movement | 3rd movement
Price $25.00
Tuba
- Landscapesfor tuba, mallet percussion, & percussion
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Concertofor tuba and piano
or tuba and brass quartetListen to James Jenkins play 'Concerto for tuba' with brass quartet
Price $25.00