While much of the classical trumpet repertoire comes from concerto and orchestral excerpts, several composers have sought out to write chamber works that feature the trumpet.
Some of these works are known to be some of the trickiest music for trumpet players, and others are flexible additions to the repertoire.
In no particular order, we’ll cover works that are specifically denoted as “sonatas”, and others that are simply works for piano and trumpet.
Let’s get started!
1. Paul Hindemith - Trumpet Sonata
Paul Hindemith dedicated a very prominent section of his compositional output to sonatas for instruments which had at that point not seen many chamber works written specifically for them.
Of all of the sonatas he composed, his trumpet sonata might be the most infamous.
It was written while Hindemith was in exile in Switzerland in 1939, sheltering from the intensifying conflicts ignited by Germany that year. As the global conflicts developed that year, the work began to inherit the lament and turmoil in its composition.
While it is musically evocative and detailed, it is a very difficult piece. Though not immediately apparent, the difficulty lies in the sonata’s duration and lack of rests for the trumpet player.
Performers of this sonata must prepare for a heavy duration of loud dynamics and long tones, something that can really take a player out for a long set.
Brandon Ridenour teaches the Hindemith Sonata in his course on tonebase Trumpet:
Click here to watch this course and over 100 others for free on tonebase Trumpet.
2. Jean Hubeau - Sonata for Trumpet and Piano
Jean Hubeau’s Sonata for Trumpet and Piano is just as decadent as it is a bold celebration of everything the trumpet is known for.
The sonata transports qualities of the fanfare into a lush and intimate chamber setting, letting the trumpet soar out over the resonance of the piano.
Movements 1 and 2, Sarabande and Intermède, are proud and resonant works which showcase the boldness and force of the trumpet’s sound. Movement 3, Spiritual, is a much more pulled back work which ties in folk motifs with the fanfare material from the first 2 movements. It’s a beautiful work for listeners and performers alike.
3. Halsey Stevens - Sonata for Trumpet and Piano
If Bartók had written a trumpet sonata, this might be the closest we have to how it would sound.
The sonata’s first movement features some fascinating rhythmic gymnastics in its use of rapid mixed meter, forcing the trumpet player to be very alert and deliberate.
The second movement opens with a delicate muted passage, and the piano opens up some sweet tertiary pads for the trumpet to soar over. While less Bartókian, this movement overall is incredibly sensible and approachable for diverse audiences.
The final movement, Allegro, is much more stark, and features some very pronounced triple-tonguing fanfare-esc sections mixed in with moments of brief lyricality.
This work overall is a significant addition to the trumpet repertoire and one of best works for trumpet to emerge from the 1950’s.
4. Kent Kennan - Sonata for Trumpet and Piano
Kent Kennan’s Trumpet Sonata is a common audition excerpt and repertoire classic.
In its 3 movements, the trumpet is instructed to project out from section to section, with the piano offering a giant show of force to enhance the effect of the trumpet.
The second movement is extremely delicate, with a heavy rubato/improvisatory quality throughout. Much of the music is a call and response between the trumpet and the piano, each showcasing their unique ability to present delicate yet sensible musical qualities.
The last movement is a playful take on motifs from the first movement, jumbling up the music in a flurry of mixed meter.
This trumpet sonata is a must-know for trumpet players and general fans of the 20th Century sonata.
5. George Enescu: Légende
While not technically a sonata in the strict sense, George Enescu’s trumpet and piano piece Légende is one of the most decadent works in the trumpet repertoire.
Written in 1906, it emerges at the prime of the impressionist movement, where Enescu’s colleagues such as Maurice Ravel and Charles Koechlin were writing some of their most important works.
While it is one of the most sonorous works for the trumpet, it requires a great level of technique to properly pull it off.
The work jumps from sober lyricality to flashy 32nd note lines, then immediately back to tightly controlled muted excerpts, all in the span of 6 and a half minutes.
This said, it is a highly significant work both for auditions as well as chamber repertoire for the trumpet.
6. Bohuslav Martinů – Sonatina for Trumpet and Piano
Bohuslav Martinů’s Sonatina for Trumpet and Piano came out of his time spent in Nice, France, in which he wrote several sonatas, such as his viola sonata, clarinet sonata, and trumpet sonata.
Each of these sonatas has gone on to be celebrated works in their instrument’s repertoire, and the trumpet sonata is no exception.
Evident in this sonata is the influence of both jazz and prominent early 20th Century composers like Debussy and Stravinsky.
Given the title of a Sonatina, the work is shorter and less developed than some of the proper sonatas on this list, but it still packs a lot of musical development in 8 minutes. It’s a fun work to play as well as a pleasant piece for recital sets.
7. Flor Peeters - Sonata
Flor Peeters may not be known too well outside of the organ world, but his sonata for trumpet is a fantastic and widely celebrated work in the trumpet repertoire.
The second movement, Aria, is particularly well known for its warm sonorities and lullaby-esc qualities.
Many moments throughout the work are on the difficult side performance wise, but it is nonetheless an important work to be familiar with when analyzing the extent of the trumpet sonata repertoire.
8. Allen Vizzutti - Trumpet Sonata No. 2
Allen Vizzutti has made a name for himself as one of the most important living trumpet virtuosos and composers, and his Trumpet Sonata No. 2 makes clear why that is.
The work is highly nocturnal - much of this work has a sort of Samuel Barber sensibility with regards to harmony and ostinatos, and it works extremely well for the context of the trumpet writing throughout the piece.
It’s very showy, but also very logical in how it approaches its difficult sections. The fast sections feel natural and unforced, unlike some of the other more difficulty works in the repertoire.
You can watch Allen Vizzutti teach several of his most known pieces in his courses on tonebase Trumpet:
9. Peter Maxwell Davies: Sonata for Trumpet and Piano
One of the most significant works for trumpet to emerge in the late 20th Century is Peter Maxwell Davies’ Sonata for Trumpet and Piano.
This modernist masterpiece takes the trumpet in new directions, juxtaposing bright soaring lines with crunchy development in the piano.
This is a highly demanding work, requiring both advanced chops, finger gymnastics, and a high level of musical control.
A successful performance of this is, however, a spectacle to experience and can be quite moving.
10. Henri Tomasi - Triptyque
Finishing off our journey through the trumpet sonata repertoire, we arrive at a seminal work in the greater trumpet repertoire.
Henri Tomasi’s Triptyque derives its origins from the concept of the triptych, a 3 panel visual art display that juxtaposes 3 separate and distinct images.
Each movement of this work acts as a panel, exploring completely different musical qualities from one movement to the next.
The work is highly colorful; in just 3 minutes, the trumpet player is tasked with circumnavigating new musical worlds that each present their own distinct challenges.
Conclusion
The idea of the “trumpet sonata” comes packed with implications of diverse and nuanced music, containing some prominent works that really push the musical capabilities of the trumpet to their limits.
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