Allen Vizzutti - Carnival of Venus

Allen Vizzutti performs The Carnival of Venus at the 2012 National Trumpet Competition at George Mason University

[@canadianbacon2711]

Now that he's warmed up

[@BillSmith-rx9rm]

I haven’t noticed any comments about the variation he played starting at about 6:28. He is playing the theme in both the lower and upper octaves. Normally this song is played with the last variation having the theme being heard in one octave. However he is doubling the theme in two different octaves and is the most incredible thing I have ever heard. I have been a trumpeter for 50 years and have never heard anything like this before. I have heard the carnival of Venice and many arrangements and variations of it, but this double octave stunt playing, I don’t know if anyone else can duplicate it. I bow to the master.

[@C.B2]

Holy shit

[@immortalmecha8770]

Honestly incredible. I can’t really comprehend what’s actually going on, it’s like sixteenth notes an octave apart of the theme? I don’t know.

[@fizztrumpet1496]

There will never be another player like him.

[@devonchristopher5837]

Never thought I would see staggered octaves on trumpet.

[@BillSmith-rx9rm]

@@immortalmecha8770 Those aren't 16th notes. They're 64th notes!!! Seriously. Look up the sheet music sometime.

[@alonshofar]

The first time I heard Mr. Vizzutti play Live He played this piece and handed out copies of the trumpet part to most of the audience members, He then proceed it to play this virtuosic work with NO FLAWS (musically or technically) this was more than 15 years ago and I have never heard anything smilar.

[@TheSproutarian]

look up Gary Curtin Euphonium and you'll hear him playing this piece. He had a quick look at it for the first time over lunch and played it almost perfect. Plays the high notes better than Allen too.

[@ghp7382]

@@TheSproutariantook a look. Not 1 millionth as impressive

[@sebastianograsselli]

can you pass me the score?

[@Marduk-np5gq]

in my tiny experience of trumpet i think this ws for sure an off day for him but still great playing i could never! (atleast now)

[@G83X]

@@Marduk-np5gq nah he was quite sick here. There's a studio recording you can find of him playing this and it's absurd.

[@Pixelpie420]

I played with him tonight and he signed my trumpet

[@Pixelpie420]

Pi r Cubed no cap

[@marksnschwartz7190]

Allen is gifted with an amazing sense of humor, as well as endless musical talents, honed to a level virtually without peer. The Carnival of Venice is challenging enough that professionals have to practice it, even after years of performing it. When you add insane octave jumps, range demands few can match, and embellishments that only Allen can accomplish with such dexterity and musicality. Of course, it is meant as a parody of the Carnival of Venice. It is not meant to be performed perfectly. It is meant to be fun and astonishing. It succeeds!

[@BJisALIVE]

6 years later and people don't understand this piece is basically a parody/joke.

[@cam6537]

Jordan Mitchell wdym a parody?

[@gertnood]

He built his own mountain, and climbs it because it is there. The piece is a compendium of the amazing pyrotechnics he is capable of, and I bet he would say it is feat of bravado to play it live and whatever happens will be fun, so why not? That's the way I see it. Got to play with him once and had a private session.. he's the real deal and a wonderful guy.

[@gertnood]

His wife is a killer piano player too, and might I say with all due respect "rather attractive".

[@rickbourdier1408]

The purely objective and incontrovertible reality is that she's beautiful. She looks like a princess. It's debatable whether any guy is every really worthy, buhahahaaaaa,. Allen seems like such a good guy in the many videos I've seen, and is such an absolute monster of a player and musician, so she probably deems him worthy.

[@jeantaylor2308]

Jordan Mitchell Well, this guy is a clown, that is for sure.

[@FreakoftheArts73]

What a classy guy. Not once does he take the spotlight to himself. He bows WITH his accompanist at the end, steps to the side of the stage and claps for her, and then - once again - bows with her. As if she were the featured soloist and he were the accompanist. No wonder he's such a master at his craft.

[@svenax]

He'd better, since the accompanist is his wife. 🙂

[@thomassicard3733]

Yeah, svenax... and whether or not she is/was his wife... She did a PERFECT job accompanying. Try it sometime.

[@anniesamuel4787]

I feel like this essentially is a sonata because she has so much time playing parts on her own. In that case, it is musician common courtesy to bow together because you are equal...or at least that is what they taught us to do at Sydney Conservatorium.

[@calebadeleye]

@@svenax Oh so that is his wife, no wonder..there is so much chemistry in the performance

[@djfatman6324]

If you ever see him live he always mentions on every song that it is a duet more than it is an accompaniment. So he always shows the pianist off

[@samzheng5803]

I come from Twoset video. This man is very good at making the trumpet sound amazeballs.

[@gh0stGD]

What video

[@trenchiano]

@@gh0stGD "The Paganini of Every Instrument" i think

[@Mster_J]

Y’all need to check out Adolph Herseth

[@AshtynBloese]

I’m going to give Laura five stars for her piano playing. She is awesome.

[@katiekilgore6918]

I'm currently in the middle of my fourth semester as a trumpet major in college, and it is my dream to be able to play that effortlessly across such a wide range like that. That blew my mind, even with the imperfections in his playing. That made it more realistic in my ears. :-)

[@ryangreen9378]

+Katie K Best of luck

[@katiekilgore6918]

+Ryan Green (SSM) Thanks. :)

[@6ftcheeseburger384]

its not "imperfections" on trumpet, its call accidental improve

[@65strad]

Yes, he is a monster. Lovely pianist

[@ftn5546]

I have no idea how Mr. and Mrs. Vizzutti kept straight faces through this. Brilliant comedy, brilliant showmanship, and brilliant technical playing on both parts.

[@nedferris3933]

He wrote me a letter as part of my Eagle Scout achievement when asked. Incredible. Kept the love of music in my heart when I thought all was lost

[@canadianbacon2711]

My parents haven't even conceived me and I play this for warm up at 69 beats per microsecond

[@egg9206]

I'm going to think about this every day for the rest of my life

[@cAvAlEiRode]

If you can play it slowly you can play it fast. #understanders

[@mistuhmiles]

Not real

[@tristabrown7568]

Vinícius Santos I am here

[@johndixont7429]

Wesley King size k

[@wythetrumpet6419]

Allen is incredible, I don't know how he does it, I just accept the fact he can! Certainly one of the finest trumpet players of our time!!!

[@saxunltd]

I met Allen several years ago when he was on the faculty at University of Washington. We were at a recital of one of his students. I introduced myself and he invited me to sit with him as we were both there by ourselves. He was so kind to me, and to his student! And he has a great sense of humor! At the end of the recital I felt like I'd known him for many years! Natural, easy going and such a nice fellow! Amazing virtuoso, too!

[@marksnschwartz7190]

Allen and Laura regularly blow away the rest of us mere mortals with virtuosity bordering on the impossible. If it were just fast fingers; or extreme ends of the trumpet range; or his impeccable tone; or his impossible multiple tonguing technique; or his bebop phrasing that is precise enough to fit in with a classical performance; or Flexibility between and among the various registers - any one of those skills would be astonishing and worthy of a complete drop of our collective jaws. That Allen combines them all in a cohesive and impossibly sublime whole is ridiculous. That he and his beautiful wife, Laura, make that entire performance thoroughly musical and not just an egotistical display makes what they so uniquely do worthy of careful study and a commitment to live in the woodshed for - oh, about a decade! Goodness, what an inspiration Allen is!

[@bd1845]

I’ve had the CD of this for years and thought it was bonkers impossible to record. seeing him play it live is just astonishing.

[@El_Bueno]

Flawless arpeggios… monster player. Love it.

[@safetysizzerz3530]

The most intense Carnival of Venice Variation ever

[@GeorgeRawlintrumpet]

I'd love to love to hear more of these honest performances than hear all the overdubbed, EQ'd and autotuned. These guys have class (Doc and Allen) to put it all out there day after day with humility. I'm impressed!

[@PuertoricanPatriot1]

What an amazing pianist as well as trumpet player. Wonderful performance.

[@paigedmunck8324]

Both of them living legends - I had the life changing pleasure of hosting them back in 2010 - there is no trumpeter in the world that can play like this.

[@Goodfood717]

This man was always a gentleman, very glad to know him and his kids.

[@wernertrptube]

Carnivore of Mars.

[@BillSmith-rx9rm]

Ha Ha! I get what you're saying. It's out of this world!

[@braylee.bassoon.]

he played this BY MEMORY last week at the wtamu band camp along with 12 other pieces throughout the week also by memory

[@waltband9100]

I have been out of things for a few years -- his performance of this on CD has astounded me for years -- this is the first time I have seen him perform it -- what guts it takes to play this in public - things like this on You Tube are the very best thing about it -- this may not be an uuhhh perfect performance but SO WHAT -- It is a truly most amazing thing! WOWOWOW!

[@jandpsdad]

Seems like you've never seen/heard him in concert. I'm sure you would have the exact opposite reaction. Gracious, professional, articulate, humble, expert showmen and player.

[@MonkeyFocker-v3z]

Vizzuti is beyond mastery level, virtuoso is the only description close to appropriate. The accompanists are great in their own right. Every music school I attended had someone who accompanied every recital an they were always incredible. One rehearsal or less and bam perfect accompaniment.

[@MrOptomai]

Allen is a total treat. Both as a human and one of the best players around. The pianist is cute and plays well!!!🎼🎶🎵🎺🎺♥️♥️

[@bachstrad1994]

I love this dude, he's such a relaxed teacher. Going to be really sad after this semester when he leaves. Love my lessons with him

[@joshuastegall618]

Phenomenal player! Hearing him live was a jaw-dropping experience...SO SO SO much color and excitement in his sound. When he plays the whole room is filled with a palpable, almost electric, energy. And, of course, has unbelievable control of his instrument! And makes it look easy!

[@CHICHI-vn9kd]

He makes hard stuff looks easy. Tribute to Mr. Allen Vizzutti for effortless playing 🎉

[@samscott54]

amazing embouchure - crazy and lots of fun

[@user-js9vp3dn4m]

Это исполнение просто фантастика! Такой техники за всю жизнь можно не достигнуть! Браво! Крепкого Вам здоровья и дальнейших творческих побед!

[@maxtrumpet7934]

Очень талантлив, но это не музыка, а самолюбование

[@MrDrewball1234]

I'm 4 years old and I can play this an octave up at double speed. This guy needs to take more lessons.

[@nistorrdavid]

Aha , sure

[@nistorrdavid]

You can shut up .

[@hugothompson3379]

Funny 😁

[@crefmag]

I play this on a bugle using just bending to get the notes

[@sammy2840]

Was a trumpet major in college. Never had the chops this guy has! Effortless! Wow!

[@shalom.27x]

I love this so much

[@thomassicard3733]

So wonderfully transformed.

[@jdrom5522]

This piece is extremely difficult..Public play equals monster Player!!That what he is!!!Well done!!!!I’ve only heard this piece on his CD!!Now in public Well done Allen!

[@BJ-bd5fc]

He performed the real version of this piece in the early 90s at Eastern Arizona College, and it was flawless. It makes this version (20 years later) that much more awesome! LOL...

[@garywatson2964]

OK, so I am a trombonist who can also play the baritone horn. I cannot understand how anyone can play Carnival of Venice on any instrument. My favorite has always been Rafael Mendez. But this version is great. Allen's performance was great. But what impressed me the most was the pianist accompanianist. Most people do not realize how important the accompianist is, but I do. If this woman would accompany me, I just might get out my long unplayed classic 1955 Conn 70H trombone. I think that it was way back in 1958 when I won the best trombonist and the best brass player in the three states contest of Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas. Well, I had an excellent accompianist. Would you believe, I got lost and had to repeat part of my difficult piece. My accompianist followed, and I won two Blue ribbons. I then proceeded to go through 4 years of engineering school on a music scholaship. I would like to meet Allen, but I would love to meet the pianist. My stepdaughter in law in law is a good pianist and a piano teacher, but the accompianist in this recording has no equal.

[@gw6379]

我以为只能在mp3里听，没想到能看见，太震撼了！amazing！！！

[@brackenan]

My girlfriend studied trumpet under Vizzutti for a bit. She says he was so much fun and even complimented her on her tone.

[@TrumpetManinNC]

Funny, talented, hard-working, guy. An inspiration.

[@natMMI]

Every. Damn. Trumpet demo. Its carnival of Venice by Arban. What I like about this piece is that it sets the bar higher by making fun of Carnival of Venice and its tendancy to be a piece people "flex" with.

[@juancarloscasella925]

Es maravilloso, realmente admirable y único!!! 👏👏👏

[@comicbook325]

awesome, this guy is a trumpet god

[@Trololololololooo]

Allen Vizzutti was having a bad day i guess... That would explain the 10 or so notes he missed out of a song with probably over 2 thousand

[@stephenkenny1647]

I let him off the first nine, but how dare he split ten ;)

[@calencrawford2195]

This song _was_ a joke....

[@reverend341]

Calen Crawford the comment was a joke...

[@BillSmith-rx9rm]

Yes, he did in fact miss a few notes. However, what he did is virtually impossible for almost every other trumpet player. The interval jumping was just incredible. It doesn’t matter if it was meant to be humorous or serious, it was one hell of a performance. What other trumpet player would even consider attempting this live in front of an audience? His career speaks for itself.

[@BillSmith-rx9rm]

@@TheRjjrjjr you got that right. only someone with incredible talent that has proven himself over many years can "joke around" like this. He was playing it for fun. It wasn't like he was in a solo competition.

[@ernestoghersi4689]

maestro de los maestros. sr. de la trompeta.

[@dhst9540]

Gran Master of trumpet.

[@arpdl]

Truly AMAZING!!!

[@WhalerGA]

You have to recognize also that any of his own challenging songs or arrangements tend to be 9+ minutes long (just like this one). And this likely wasn't the only tune he played. That's brutal even for a world-class player. Besides that, it's not like he practices this tune on a regular basis. I imagine he's kind of moved on but everyone wants to hear it and he's glad to play it, even when he knows he'll make mistakes. You have to admire that. It his mind, it's not about him.

[@silviostilinovic]

totally Fantastic!

[@jamman1103]

41,000 views and I think I am at least 12,000 of them are mine.

[@Bento79]

This piece is so challenging!

[@djclarkcant9880]

He’s the only trumpet legend I know can miss half the notes and still be a legend LOL and also..my money is on that they smashed 😂

[@louspagnola6293]

Heck, it takes practice to be mediocre! Allen Vizzutti is one of the finest there EVER was.

[@andrewfyakim525]

These two are pure genius; he is amazing and so is she (and , very easy on the eyes! ☺)

[@kaywelder]

Only Vizzutti can pull this off.

[@canadianbacon2711]

If it ended at 6:06, I would have cried it was so beautiful, the pompous beginning to the soft and relaxing resolution, but then I got a huge smile from the following minutes.

[@sbwyo1966]

Find a dictionary and look up the word pompous.

[@edouardbarseghian5966]

FANTASTIQUE !!!

[@louspagnola6293]

...and he's 60. I mean REALLY! Allen Vizzutti is a treasure.

[@stresspress1]

Allen is the Arturo of cornet soloists

[@bach2117]

Outstanding

[@calebjames9572]

i never realized he played multiphonics during this piece

[@stefano2452]

amazing , bravo !!!

[@thesecondfeliks5152]

Allen Vizzutti is just having loads of fun

[@coolaxe-dw4840]

Fantastic

[@davidcastillo394]

With out words.

[@MyCirineo]

Excelente, la belleza es tan elegante y espectacular

[@user-ss5su5gh3j]

アレンビザティーさんのテクニックは世界一です

[@tim1265987]

The funny thing is, is when he cracks a note, people bring down the criticism hammer, yet it is written in the music.

[@stephanboos9432]

all my love

[@gentrywalker]

Is it true he wasn't feeling well during this performance?

[@quinnparker6111]

Gentry Walker Yes he forgot to take his meds and was confusing note octaves

[@gabe.t2030]

Quinn Parker I cant tell if this is a jokr

[@reverend341]

Gabe.T it’s a joke. this piece is just written to be stupid difficult

[@BillSmith-rx9rm]

@@quinnparker6111 HaHa! Now I understand how he did. Every time he would sneeze, he would jump an octave! It wasn't talent, it was hay fever! LOL

[@jp11771]

This is great I am laughing so hard right now.

[@jesusdiosdado8533]

I think this is beast

[@katebuelow5513]

THIS IS MY FAVORITE THING TO LISTEN TO THIS IS MY HOMIE

[@user-fb3vd8yn5i]

Amazing.

[@MasterSweetz]

He's done well!!!

[@gioletta6728]

The best

[@jachymhernych394]

Awesome

[@louspagnola6293]

As you said...He doesn't practice that much anymore...He does it for the the audience. Still...He is amazing...and what a beautiful cat. He wrote it...He's played it a million times...You guys do it now...GOOD LUCK! Vizzutti is prolific. This is just one thing he did to show off chops. He is amazing.

[@sylviaknutcecily]

He married his accompanist. Wise man. I did the same thing!!

[@eclipses1003]

Josh Peterson For a second there I thought you married his accompanist… My apologies 😂

[@sylviaknutcecily]

@@eclipses1003 LOL. I married my own accompanist, not his! :-)

[@eclipses1003]

Josh Peterson I’m able to tell that now haha Oh and congrats!!🍾

[@joshmartin7725]

The Vizzutti Caprice

[@preachernick2226]

Those intervals...

[@johnwilder8517]

He is not my friend. Not a big fan of his pyrotechnics. But, I have to say you should know he is a great man and trumpeter. He is one of us. Truly

[@victorumrikhin9954]

VIRTUOSO!!!

[@1111pianoman]

i always knew this song as "the carnival of venice"...

[@earljones3481]

I didn’t know Jan levinson played piano

[@edouardbarseghian5966]

TAYFOUN DE VENIZE !!! BRAVO !!!

[@traspiggi]

bravissimo.....sei un fenomeno

[@patrick1580]

His bad (used lightly) performance was still pretty fantastic and it just shows that he's actually human haha

[@serjbondjazz]

Bravo!

[@Artariastein]

Der Allen bläst dem Teufel ein Ohr ab! :-)

[@rmp3769]

Soul Cleansing

[@adriandiosdado6429]

This is awesome! I play the trumpet and thats really hard.

[@chestermarcol3831]

I'm convinced that Vizzuti isn't human.

[@Life4Sing]

Still a monster

[@Trololololololooo]

I was being gratuitous with the numbers I guess haha. And you saw him perform it? How lucky! I've been looking for a live version of this song for a while... Didn't know he did it live since it's so difficult. However I'm sure all the trumpet players were crawling under their seats during this performance anyways, hahaha.

[@JeffnasticsPvP]

Gotta love 1:45 xD

[@PatrickOBrien1999]

Lol the double C and D