An Album of Trumpet Tunes for Organ. - book review

American Music Teacher, April-May, 2003 by Allen Mollineux

compiled and edited by Dale Tucker. Warner Bros. (15800 N. W. 48th Ave., Miami, FL 33014), 1997. 118 pp., $10.95.

As a trumpeter, I have played a number of trumpet tunes and voluntaries that were transcriptions of original baroque organ works. So naturally, when asked by AMT to review a collection of them, I was more than eager. But my enthusiastic anticipation became a letdown when I received them and discovered this anthology under review consists of just organ works. Well, the initial disappointment has now transformed into a curiosity regarding this collection. So here's what you organists can expect.

This is a set of twenty-nine short pieces, most truly titled "Trumpet Tunes," but also "trumpet" voluntaries, fanfares and processions. The preface of this publication mentions that a number of these works originally came from the St. Cecilia Organ Series, while the rest originated from both the Warner Bros. and Belwin catalogs. Actually, many have a copyright from that well-known sacred music publisher, H. W. Gray Company. In fact, you literally can see that this collection was culled from different sources, since certain numbers clearly have a different type of music font and format than the others.

The majority of the pieces were written in the last twenty years by lesser-known composers; however, the set does include at least four authentic baroque works and a selection by Flor Peeters. Of the former, I found the greatest invention and novelty from Michael McCabe and to a slightly lesser degree from Franklin Ashdown. I also was pleased to encounter for the first time the "Te Deum Prelude" by Marc Charpentier and delighted to see two selections appropriate for the Christmas season.

What makes this group of works, inspired by the organ's trumpet stop, worthwhile is that it offers a wide variety of styles--all acceptable to any general audience or congregation. In addition, not one number is really difficult to play. In fact, some are fairly easy to play. In other words, there's something for everyone.

As for me, I'm mulling over several of the tunes to make my own trumpet transcriptions that I think will be perfect for that next wedding or Christmas church program I'll be doing. Yes, I'm definitely no longer disappointed.

Allen Mollineux, Marianna, Florida.