Track Listing

1. Allegro
2. Adagio
3. Allegro assai
4. Sarabande
5. Gigue
6. Gigue
7. Allegro
8. Largo
9. Allegro
10. Allegro
11. Largo
12. Presto
13. Allegro
14. Larghetto
15. Allegro ma non tanto
16. Badinerie
17. Agnus Dei

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #18145 in Music
• Released on: 2006-01-10
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
Alison Balsom's Bach is a spirited romp through various works of the master arranged for trumpet solo and a changing cast of colleagues. Orchestral works are done in a chamber reduction, with the trumpet taking the solo violin part; solo works, like two movements from Bach's Cello Suite No. 2, are played in arrangements for trumpet. Transpositions abound, the net result being vaguely familiar music sounding fresh and different. In general, Balsom is most effective in faster, more outgoing movements and pieces where her bright tone, technical mastery, and sprightly tempos carry the day. The Italian-based works, Bach's Italian Variations, and his own arrangements from Vivaldi and Marcello fit this pattern, and so does the Trio Sonata arrangement from an organ work, where Balsom's trumpet interacts with violin and basso continuo to strike sparks. Least effective are the arrangements of movements from Bach's unaccompanied violin and cello masterpieces, in part because the inherent brightness of her trumpet is at odds with the warmth and nuances of a stringed instrument. The Badinerie from Bach's Orchestral Suite No. 2, whose melody and its association with the flute are indelibly imprinted on music lovers, comes off as a spectacular accomplishment on Balsom's far more unwieldy instrument. Excellent playing by the assisting musicians helps make this foray into a modernized version of Bach's music an enjoyable experience. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews

Alison Balsom Rocks My World!!
I purchased this CD at a recital Ms. Balsom was performing at. After having had the privilege of not only hearing this CD, but hearing her perform in person and meeting her for myself; I can HIGHLY recommend this CD.

Ms. Balsom's mastery of the trumpet is obvious in this CD. She sings beautifully throughout the instrument's full dynamic range, and her technical prowess is certainly as good as any of the "larger name" recording artists of today. Her interpretations are very solid as well.

This is a great CD to buy for anyone looking for a good recording of Bach's music rearranged for trumpet (the modern trumpet had not been designed yet in Bach's time). It's also worth mentioning that many of the arrangements performed on this CD were arranged by Ms. Balsom herself.

Ms. Balsom sounds sweet and commanding
I honestly enjoy these arrangements of Bach pieces for the trumpet and Ms. Balsom sounds beautiful on all of the them. I congratulate her in producing a high-quality CD and look forward to hearing more of her in the future. Her facility on the instrument is sweet and complete. If you like solo trumpet music, this will be a treat for the ears.

a delight to discover
I bought this album not knowing anything about Ms. Balsom, but being a trumpet aficionado (Marsalis, Andre, Alpert, Masekela) was curious as to how a female trumpeter would sound (I confess to having never heard of a female trumpeter).

Well, this CD is terrific. I like Bach's work and she interprets it in a clear and commanding style. It's right up there with my favourite classical trumpet cd, Marsalis' Baroque Music for Trumpets, and I look forward to hearing from and seeing Ms. Balsom here in the States.