Author name: Gretchen Mayer-Yeh

Accompanying pianist. Copywriter.

Trumpet

Randolph Lee — “Echoes of Zion” (Mark Masters Series, 2022)

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Randy Lee’s Echoes of Zion is a poignant musical journey through the cultural heritage of early members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as they embarked on their pioneer odyssey to the untamed American West. With a deeply personal connection to this history, Randy Lee pays tribute to the pioneers’ resilience, faith, and artistic contributions. This review explores the album’s evocative renditions of historical music and its ability to transport listeners back to a time when music was a source of solace, joy, and unity on the untamed frontier.

Randolph Lee — “Echoes of Zion” (Mark Masters Series, 2022) Open »

Tuba

Øystein Baadsvik: “If You Are a Musician, You Have a Gift, and You Should Never Forget That You Can Spread Happiness, Excitement, and Joy to Others”

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Øystein Baadsvik is probably one of the most famous tuba players in the history of our instrument. He made his way into the hermetic world of classical music by demonstrating his virtuosity and musicality, and today his videos on the internet accumulate millions of views. In this exclusive interview, he tells us all about it.

Øystein Baadsvik: “If You Are a Musician, You Have a Gift, and You Should Never Forget That You Can Spread Happiness, Excitement, and Joy to Others” Open »

Clarinet

Stephen Williamson: “Music Is a Universal Language. It’s Been Gratifying Within the Doom and Gloom of Everything Shutting Down to Be Able to Perform and Teach Virtually”

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Stephen Williamson, Principal Clarinet of the Chicago Symphony, talks about how his practice routine has changed during the pandemic. He records himself almost every day to identify and work on flaws in his playing. Williamson also discusses how the Chicago Symphony’s activities have been affected by the pandemic, including the formation of a woodwind quintet and the production of the CSOtv series. He underwent rotator cuff surgery during the pandemic and returned to performing just six weeks after the surgery. Williamson also teaches virtually and is involved in two different websites where people can get lessons, master classes, or group chamber coachings with him. Finally, he talks about his family’s musical video project and expresses gratitude for being able to perform and teach virtually during the pandemic while acknowledging the difficult situation for other musicians.

Stephen Williamson: “Music Is a Universal Language. It’s Been Gratifying Within the Doom and Gloom of Everything Shutting Down to Be Able to Perform and Teach Virtually” Open »

Trumpet

Raúl Junquera: The Trumpeter Who Sacrificed Everything to Return Home

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¿Conoces a algún joven trompetista de 22 años capaz de renunciar a una plaza fija de solista en una orquesta sinfónica porque echa de menos su tierra? Pues ése es Raúl Junquera, quien podría considerarse el prototipo de trompeta solista orquestal español: no sólo es un gran músico y un trompetista exquisito, sino que además es un tipo noble, amante de las pequeñas cosas de la vida. La música es su pasión, y ha conseguido todo lo que se ha propuesto con la trompeta, pero jamás sacrificará por ella los buenos ratos con su gente. La de Raúl Junquera es una de las historias de músicos españoles que todo el mundo debe conocer. Y estamos muy felices de traerla a Trumpet Magazine.

Raúl Junquera: The Trumpeter Who Sacrificed Everything to Return Home Open »

Percussion

John Lawless: “No One Wants to Hear You Say How Good You Are; Just Play!”

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John Lawless is the principal timpanist for the Atlanta Opera Orchestra, Georgia Symphony, Columbus (GA) Symphony, and the Johns Creek Symphony. He held this position in the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera Orchestra for 21 seasons. John started subbing with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in 1978 and still plays, tours, and records with them to this day. This year marks John’s 25th year as Director of Percussion Studies at Kennesaw State University.

John Lawless: “No One Wants to Hear You Say How Good You Are; Just Play!” Open »

Piano

Fanny Azzuro: “The Préludes Are Full of Miniatures in Which One Must Infuse a Lot of Emotions”

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After graduating from the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, in piano and chamber music, Fanny Azzuro won many international competitions in France and the USA (Cincinnati and Washington). Officially a Yamaha Artist, she is also supported by Spedidam, the Mécénat Musical Société Générale, the Safran Foundation for Music and the Adami.

Fanny Azzuro: “The Préludes Are Full of Miniatures in Which One Must Infuse a Lot of Emotions” Open »

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