Bernd Alois Zimmermann; Péter Eötvös; HK Gruber - Trumpet Concertos (Clément Saunier)

Information

Composer: Bernd Alois Zimmermann; Péter Eötvös; HK Gruber

• Zimmermann - Nobody knows de trouble I see – Concerto for Trumpet in C and Orchestra
• Eötvös - Jet Stream for trumpet in B-Flat and Orchestra
• Gruber - Aerial – Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra

Clément Saunier, trumpet

Sinfonia Varsovia

Wilson Hermanto, conductor

Date: 2026

Label: Claves Records

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The three trumpet concertos discussed in this recording reflect the major post-war expansion of the instrument’s repertoire, strongly shaped by jazz and the pioneering influence of Louis Armstrong, alongside later innovators such as Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis. Works by Bernd Alois Zimmermann, H.K. Gruber, and Peter Eötvös are linked through both artistic lineage and performance history, notably involving trumpeter Håkan Hardenberger. Each concerto integrates jazz elements within contemporary classical language, using programmatic structures that draw on spirituals, imagery, and abstract narrative ideas rather than traditional literary sources. Collectively, the works demonstrate the trumpet’s evolving expressive range and its dynamic position at the intersection of jazz and modern classical music, a development continued by performers such as Clément Saunier.

Clément Saunier (born 1979) is a French classical trumpeter widely regarded as one of the most active performers of his generation on the international contemporary and solo trumpet scene. He trained at the Conservatoire de Paris, where he earned top distinctions in trumpet and chamber music. In 2013, he was appointed principal trumpet of the Ensemble intercontemporain, working closely with major composers and conductors including Pierre Boulez, Peter Eötvös, and Simon Rattle. His career spans major international competitions, solo performances with leading orchestras, and a strong commitment to contemporary repertoire, making him a key figure in the modern evolution of trumpet performance.

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