The exciting choice of music for Wim van Hasselt's second SACD for Channel Classics – entitled 'Tintomara' – is even more eclectic in both its compositional periods and styles than his first On the Road - van Hasselt.

The virtuoso trumpeter is partnered here by Jörgen van Rijen, the principal trombonist of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, as well as other diverse instrumentalists, in an unusual but thoroughly entertaining programme of music whose composition ranges over more than 300 years. It includes not only works specifically written for trumpet and /or trombone but also transcriptions of music originally written for other instrumental combinations.

The disc opens with three delightful Purcell arrangements in which the duo of Wim van Hasselt and Jörgen van Rijen are supported appropriately by a group of musicians playing recorders, theorbo, cello, baroque guitar and organ.

Next, in complete contrast, comes 'Tintomara' a short piece for trumpet and trombone written in 1992 by the Swedish composer Folke Rabe. The title refers to an androgynous figure from 'The Briar Rose Book' by J L Almqvist (1793-1859) and it explores, as Rabe sees it, the feminine characteristics of the trumpet and the masculinity of the trombone in lively style.

Arguably the finest piece on this disc is the 'Trio for trumpet, trombone and piano' by the French composer Jean-Michel Damase (1928-2013). This two-movement Trio, stylishly written for the three instruments, is full of wit, boundless imagination and catchy melodic lines that could easily be mistaken for Poulenc. Though the central section of the second movement briefly introduces a more serious mood, this is an predominantly sunny work. Here the two brass player are joined by the pianist Alla Libo whose playing perhaps needed a more forward balance to compete on equal terms with her colleagues.

The same combination of players is heard in an arrangement of the 'Passacaille' movement from Ravel's Trio for violin, cello and piano in which van Hasselt switches from the trumpet to the darker tones of the flugelhorn. The blending of the two brass instruments – that replace the violin and cello – is impeccable, but much of the delicacy of the original is lost as is the sense of effortless legato that string players can achieve with ease but is not so easy for the brass.

Martijn Padding's 'One Trumpet' is a spectacular trumpet solo written for, and dedicated to, Peter Masseurs, the former principal trumpet of the RCO who told the composer to “make it really difficult”! Every aspect of trumpet playing technique is displayed during its seven minute duration and Wim van Hasselt delivers it with amazing confidence and panache.

I really did not know what to expect from Florian Magnus Maier's 'Slipstream for trombone and loop station' (2012) and was most pleasantly surprised by its variety, rhythmic energy and immediate accessibility. Those more conversant with the worlds of rock and pop music than I am will know exactly what a loop station is and does. Essentially it is a device enabling a performer to record themselves and then replay the result while adding further tracks. Jörgen van Rijen, for whom the piece was written, makes the most of both the many polyphonic opportunities offered by this exciting piece whose enjoyment is further enhanced here by the extensive employment of both front and surround channels

The programme is completed in fine brassy style by Jean-François Michel's thrilling 'Eastwind' for trumpet, trombone and an 8-piece brass ensemble. The music is inspired by Balkan and East European gypsy folk styles and makes for a terrific finale.

Jared Sacks's sensitive engineering ensures that both solo instruments and ensembles are presented to the listener with equal vividness whilst the fine acoustic of the MCO Studio 1 in Hilversum provides the clarity and warmth for all the music on this most novel SACD.

Copyright © 2015 Graham Williams and HRAudio.net

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