GAUBERT, Philippe
Cantabile and Scherzetto for Cornet and Piano
Mark David, guest professor
Marc Ferrando Pelegrí, student
Marharyta Kozlovska, collaborative pianist
Professor David was very pleased with the student’s performance, but recommends that he observe other great musicians—not necessarily trumpeters, but those who inspire him through their way of playing or singing—in order to extract valuable elements and apply them to his own instrument. David then discusses phrasing and legato, and thinking in terms of words and how a great singer would sing them, so as to play the phrase on the trumpet in that manner rather than seeking the expression of each individual note. They practice phrasing in this way, and review other matters as they progress through the piece relating to dynamics, the speed of the rubato at a certain point and coordination with the piano, expressiveness, articulation, etc. They practice a descending scale and move on to the Scherzetto.
Here the music is simple, and to make it more interesting the professor suggests imagining being a child on Christmas day and exaggerating that character of surprise and playfulness, as when it suddenly begins to snow. The indication “no crescendo” does not imply making a diminuendo. They then advance to the end of the slow section and review the color and articulation of the ascending progression (like a springboard). For the final section they review the dynamics, coordination with the piano, and the clarity of articulation of the eighth notes.
Language: English
