Taught by renowned trumpet player
David Krauss
David Krauss chooses some of his favorite excerpts from the vast opera orchestral literature for trumpet. From Beethoven to Berg, these excerpts cover a huge range of styles, from the Classical fanfares of Leonore to the angularities of Wozzeck. Dive into some of the most complex and multi-faceted music ever written for trumpet!
Beethoven: Leonore Overtures
David discusses Leonore Overtures No. 2 and No. 3. These passages are fanfares with a specific function in the story, and David shares how we can navigate the musical meaning while juggling the Classical style and playing offstage!
Donizetti: Don Pasquale
This extended trumpet aria at the opening of Act II of Don Pasquale is unlike anything else in the literature. David teaches the proper Italian sixteenth-note style, how to think about phrasing, and this excerpt's significance in the story.
Wagner: Parsifal
The trumpet part in the Prelude to Parsifal is one of the scariest things we have to play as trumpeters! David explains how to manage playing soft, high, and sometimes in unison with three oboes. He shares which horn he prefers to play this one, and some thoughts on vibrato.
Berg: Wozzeck
Wozzeck is a very dense work, hence the presence of Nebenstimmes and Hauptstimmes in our part. David teaches three excerpts from this piece, sharing how we can be precise with our time and find a ringing sound despite the challenging interval leaps.
Bizet: Carmen
The Prelude to Carmen shows up frequently in auditions, and it's usually played on cornet in the opera house. David discusses some tips for playing in the low register with a full sound, encapsulating a sultry mood, and playing precisely in time.
Verdi: Rigoletto
The party scene from Rigoletto is one of the most fun excerpts in the opera! David shares why it's ok to play this less than pristine, full of momentum, and highlighting the jagged edges. He also discusses two other important excerpts from this opera.
Strauss: Salome
Strauss features the trumpet extensively in his orchestrations, and his operas are no exception. David teaches the end of Salome, where there are angular intervals and extremely specific dynamic instructions, necessitating a focused and efficient airstream.
Wagner: Lohengrin
Lohengrin calls for a massive trumpet section, and David demonstrates three excerpts from the piece. The opera begins with a lyrical excerpt, requiring careful rhythmic precision. David then shares a battle scene, compromised of several overlapping pairs of trumpets, and ends with Wagner's majestic portrayal of armies descending on a battlefield.
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Unlock Course →David Krauss has been principal trumpet of the The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in New York since 2001, and is a double graduate of the Juilliard School.
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