The noted trumpeter Judith Saxton has been a friend of Philip Biggs for some time, and is no stranger to readers of his Brass Herald magazine. As part of the Brass Arts Festival 2016, supported by Yamaha and Besson, she presented an American-themed recital, playing both C and Bb trumpets, as well as a borrowed cornet and flugel.

Declamatory

Fisher Tull's '3 Bagatelles' provided an interesting start; the declamatory 'Prelude', reflective 'Improvisation', and lively 'Caprice', rather reminiscent of the trumpet writing in 'Petrushka'.

Four 'Spring Songs' by trombonist Carson Cooman followed. 'Open Sky' had a lilting, pastoral feel, whilst 'Think Music', played on flugel, was predominantly slow and steady. 'Noon Dance' introduced a more contemporary touch before the hymn-like 'Evening Prayer', where triplets in the solo line were set against a straightforward 4/4 backing.

Attractive

The first half closed with the attractive 'Concertino' by Maurice Whitney. A bright 'Allegro non troppo', complete with cadenza linked to a Gershwinesque 'Largo', with echoes of 'Porgy and Bess' in the sultry, smoky sounds. The agile solo line and changing metres of the 'Allegro scherzando' brought things to a joyful conclusion.

Effective

'The Maid of the Mist', played on cornet with sharp triple-tonguing and effective use of rubato led into 'Into the Night' written for Judith by Jeffrey Hoover, and originally scored for rotary trumpet, flugel horn and marimba. 

Despite the absence of a rotary trumpet and with the piano substituting for marimba with the instruction to play in a 'plunky' style, it nevertheless proved an effective item - if a little less accessible to the casual listener than the rest of the programme.

Skye terrier

Having left her Bb trumpet in the dressing room by mistake, Judith proceeded to transpose 'Rondo for Lifey' on the C, portraying the lively antics of a Skye terrier to a tee. 

Three songs by Italian-American Giannini followed: The Puccini-like 'If I had Known', the ballad 'Be still my Heart' and the affirmative 'Sing to my Heart a Song'. Helpfully, the lyrics of the songs were printed in the programme, but possibly a little less advisable was Judith's decision to sing the final line of the third poem.

Excellent form

Philip Biggs then narrated four of Ogden Nash's 'Animal Ditties', for which Anthony Plog had provided musical illustration. It was a curious mix with neither words nor music quite capturing the nature of the animals depicted.

The final programmed item was 'Serenade' (Brendan Collins), presenting a long, sustained solo line against a gently undulating accompaniment, beautifully played by the first-class pianist. The trumpet then provided decoration as the piano took up the melody. 

As an encore, the somewhat sparse audience was encouraged to join in singing 'Great is Thy Faithfulness'. It was a great pity not more people heard a fine musician on excellent form. 

Peter Bale