Rafael Mendez, 'Moto Perpetuo' (Niccolò Paganini)

The legendary Mexican/American trumpeter, composer, arranger, actor and teacher Rafael Mendez (1906-1981) was famous for his tone, range, technique and unparalleled double tonguing. He was also the first trumpeter in history to record the 'Moto Perpetuo', Op. 11. Written by the Italian virtuoso violinist, violist, guitarist and composer Niccolò Paganini (1782-1840), the 'Moto Perpetuo' remains as one of the most challenging musical pieces ever composed.
Recorded in the album 'The Trumpet Magic of Rafael Mendez' (1961).
Here's the story behind the first recording ever of the 'Moto Perpetuo' on the trumpet by Rafael Mendez, as told by Dave Hickman:
Rafael worked very hard on the Paganini and could play all of it pretty much flawlessly, at home. Normally, his two sons (Robert & Ralph) did not go to their dad's recording sessions because of school. But on this occasion, they were really anxious to hear their pop record it, so they arranged to miss school that day.
They said that Rafael was very nervous about the recording of the MOTO. He had never performed the piece in public, nor even rehearsed it with an orchestra. At the breakfast table that morning he decided to record it in four breaths (Still pretty amazing considering that the piece is over 4 minutes long!).
When he got in the studio, he marked the best splice points in the score. He quickly wrote out a triangle (percussion) part to be played. This was so that when the editing was to be done (old analog system) the dings of the triangle would be clearly audible by the engineers. For those of you that have not watched tape editing, the editor will slowly hand reel the tape while listening for an obvious note to stand out and cut on.
If you listen carefully to the recording, you will hear several little dings of the triangle... almost randomly. He added many more than 4 dings to the part, so that was needed for the splice points, just to make it be more musical. But three of those dings are splice points.
Although Mendez and his sons were a bit disappointed that he decided to save his lip (don't forget, he recorded the rest of the album on that day as well!) by not going all the way through in a straight shot, they were very pleased that only ONE TAKE WAS NEEDED for the MOTO!
Now, that's impressive!!
To my knowledge, Mendez never performed the MOTO in a concert. Does anyone out there know of a time he did?
BTW, in a clinic I attended by Mendez, he demonstrated circular breathing by double tonguing 'The Flight of the Bumblebee' while circular breathing. I am convinced that he could have done the MOTO without technical difficulty...
Dave Hickman
Check other three great recordings of the 'Moto Perpetuo':
Sergei Nakariakov:
• Sergei Nakariakov, 'Mo...
Wynton Marsalis:
• Wynton Marsalis, 'Moto...
Caterina Valente:
• Caterina Valente, 'Mot...

[@johnmizutani8324]

Unbelievable circular breathing! This performance is a historical masterpiece, astonishing.

[@paltielbenyamin1273]

Almost unbelievable! I remember as a boy playing the cornet and going to visit the Olds musical instrument company in Fullerton California. This company produced a trumpet named for Rafael Mendez, RIP

[@robertwoosley7176]

Still the most incredible thing I've ever heard ANYONE do on a trumpet!!!

[@danielcervantes5294]

I read in a book, that one of his students wrote, that Mendez dedicated 5 years of focused practice and training to successfully record this in one take. All just for this one piece. The man truly had an insane discipline

[@alsuz]

I posted the story behind this 1961 recording of the MOTO by Rafael Mendez, Daniel, take a look at the video description. God bless you.

[@VictorHernández-p5c]

Gran maestro de la trompeta el gran Rafael Mendez oriundo de Jiquilpan Michoacán México

[@filippotema3498]

como violinista y fanatico de la musica academica puedo decir que esto me sorprende realmente este mexicano es sencillamente el mejor trompetista de la Historia mil y mil ovaciones a este maestro

[@waynebritton1436]

As a trumpet player I’ve heard all the greats of all the eras play and when I think of the most amazing example of greatness the first thing that pops into mine is Rafael Mendez’s Moto Perpetuo.Nakariovs version is really good but playing them back to back and comparing them Rafaels is clearer, sharper, just better. At what he did he was the best ever. We all know how great Arturo Sandoval is, compare his La Virgen de Macarena to Rafaels. Not one thing is as good even though it’s great. Everybody has their specialty but on this piece he has no equal.

[@Haritonov46]

What about Marsales?

[@julior6449]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpvRcqZnrLWFr7M Otro "moto perpetuo" 👍

[@tamborazobanda2100]

He’s the greatest of all time Rafael Mendez of my country Mexico ,state Michoacan, city jiquilpan for ever the best what a beast on the trumpet…👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🇲🇽☝🏼

[@waynebritton1436]

@@Haritonov46 It's slurred. Tonguing is much more difficult to circular breathe and play.

[@waynebritton1436]

@@tamborazobanda2100 You won't get any argument from me on that fact. At what Rafael did he was the absolute best!!

[@Mrgop]

I have been listening to this recording for nearly 50 years and I am still amazed. He was simply the greatest trumpeter of all time.

[@rocklinsreactions1807]

Thought you were gonna say you've been listening for 50 years and he still hasnt taken a breath

[@mattk614]

To disagree is to be an utter fool. R. Mendez ❤❤❤

[@A-rchie2662]

Молдавские трубачи на свадьбах вживую виртуозят часами. А здесь весьма качественная студийная запись на 4 с лишним минуты. Хотелось бы увидеть живое исполнение данного произведения. Если таковое где - нибудь у кого- нибудь имеется, конечно.

[@johnphillips9921]

Hard to believe that a human could play this amazingly well! John.

[@garylsmalley]

If you look up the definition of articulation in the dictionary there should be a picture of Rafael Mendez next to it. His double tonguing precision was what they used to test metronomes for accuracy..lol

[@SorigKhangFrance]

so beautifull I play trumpet to, R.Mendez is my god

[@aiorosaldebaram1878]

trompetista virtuoso mexicano hasta en esta década no hay quien mejore su virtuosidad 👍🙃😉

[@janetteprickett117]

I can't believe my ears. I've never heard anything like this before.

[@WillyPete13]

My Dad had a 78 rpm record of him playing "Flight of the Bumblebee". He brought it out and played it when I said I really liked the theme music of "The Green Hornet" (played by Al Hirt, who was no slouch). Needless to say, I prefer Mendez. Love the photography on this one, too!

[@everardoduran9582]

Como anecdota de los inicios de Rafael Mendez en epoca de la revolucion mexicana estuvo durante seis meses tocando para el general Francisco villa.con una trompeta. Pegada con cera y que en una ocasion al estar tocando bajo un sol ardiente esta se desarmo .despues de esto el general villa le mando a comprar una trompeta nueva la mejor que pudieron conseguirle.

[@raphaelhertzler]

There is nothing I could say to adequately compliment the amount of skill displayed here.

[@meat.]

I’d say that sentence does the skill justice lol

[@davidlookingbill5323]

Dave, I also had the privilege of attending a number of clinics in the 60s when Raphael soloed with our high school band. My senior year (1967) he again played with our band and I was part of the band. I don't remember which of the numbers we played with him, but the highlight of the concert, for me, was when he hand wrote a number for a small group of first chair players to back him up. We went through the number two or three times and it was added to the concert program. He was truly a great man and, in my opinion, the greatest trumpeter of all time. I say that after having played with Doc Severinsen three times in concert.

[@alsuz]

Thank you very much for sharing your amazing stories playing with two of the greatest trumpeters of all time, Rafael and Doc. God bless you!

[@davidlookingbill5323]

@@alsuz Thank you, Alex.

[@el-pianista5775]

QUE MARAVILLA..QUE MANERA MAGISTRAL DE TOCAR LA TROMPETA Y ESCUCHAR CADA NOTA TAN CLARA Y LIMPIA...MAESTRO POR SIEMPRE!!!

[@danemount6113]

The greatest trumpet player ever, I think.

[@alextorres1079]

Desde jiquilpan michoacan para todo el mundo rafael mendez arceo

[@7moonman1]

"Met Him In The Late 60's . . . My Oldest Brother & His Best Friend Were Top Trumpet Players In His Honor Band For The East Side Union High School District San Jose, CA . . . Saw Their Performance At Piedmont High School Milpitas, Ca . . . * "Here He Does Not Miss A Note!

[@alsuz]

Thank you for sharing your precious memories, 7 Moon, Rafael was one of the greatest trumpeters of all time and this was the first time that this piece was recorded on the trumpet. God bless you, Merry Christmas!

[@7moonman1]

@@alsuz "My Pleasure!" "Since I Was 12 I believed he was too!" "My impression Rafael was quite an accomplished Human Being As Well!" "My Brother, His Fellow Trumpeter Friend Were Further Enlightened With Rafael's Influencing In Practice & Orchestra which all very much influenced myself!" * "I continue to influence other's humanely in everyway. I am 67 yeas last Month!" "Peace To You!!!!!!!" """👍😎👌🎺""" "I played the trumpet too

[@alsuz]

That's wonderful, 7 Moon, keep shining your light, blessing people and playing your trumpet, God will reward you. Have a blessed day with Jesus!

[@volcan1437]

Es el "ungido" del universo para la trompeta. ¡¡¡¡Mi Dios...qué maravilla!!!!

[@ManutubaWhistler]

Mais quand respire-t-il ? Incroyable !!!

[@joelernstes3439]

Wow, very impressive. One of the best performances I’ve heard on trumpet.

[@vicentecarrascosa9931]

Esta muy claro este trompetista fue un genio, gracias que ahora tenemos a Sergei Nakariacov y que no tarde mucho a salir otro mejor de momento no ha salido.

[@AndyZach]

I had the pleasure of hearing Rafael Mendez in person in my high school. He was truly amazing. He played Trumpeters' Holiday with two of our best trumpeters. He also played Carnival of Venice with one finger. This was 1973 or 1974.

[@alsuz]

Thank you for sharing this amazing portion of your story, Andy, God bless you.

[@paulglanville6965]

I do think Mendez was one of the greatest trumpet players ever. Think of any trumpet player who is listenening to a virtuoso violinist playing this and thinking, "I wonder if I could play that?" Almost anyone would say that is impossible for a trumpet player! But Mendez did it - I doubt any one else would have tried it until he did it.

[@vaughnnark1733]

Beyond Astounding!!

[@mariachimexicousa6757]

IMPRESIONANTE. 🎺🎺🎺🎺🙏🙏

[@ChuckParDueMusic]

Mendez wanted this recording to be perfect. So he told the recording engineers to record this in five segments. Still a staggering achievement.

[@MrPartidoalto]

Untouchable performance! Truly the greatest

[@Guitarbox44]

The best!! El mejor!!

[@ioanionel5242]

Fenomenal

[@dallmat44]

I saw Mendez at a program in 1960 in Kettering, Ohio. He was asked whether he used circular breathing to play Moto Perpetuo. He said no, it was all in one breath. He’s the best trumpet player ever.

[@alsuz]

Well, that's what he meant. When he used the circular breathing, he could play the hole piece uninterruptedly, like in one breath...

[@freddyramirez5523]

Santo CRISTO,, que grande era el maestro Rafael Méndez,, esta obra no la toca nadie más que el maestro Raphael Méndez,,, solo el puede nadie más,,

[@ransome51]

The master of circular breathing.

[@juangerardoduran4336]

Caramba qué bien

[@alexconto8768]

Wonderfull...!!!

[@romeopasqualone1659]

Impressionante!!!!!!!!!xxx!!

[@maurigoldgoldenberg6188]

Numero UNO

[@ВасилийБезпояско]

Superior skill !

[@felicereggio]

THE GENIUS.......❤❤❤❤🎺

[@leonaltamirano1008]

Monster from jiquilpan mexico

[@pilarruiz-iturriaga8447]

Impresionante

[@XCurvyBarbieX]

omg this is Heifetz speed haha WOW thank you so much for all the uploads by the way Alex amazing!!!

[@johnpedicone7795]

THE BEST EVER .

[@leonaltamirano1008]

Lo an querido igualar pero jamás superar nunca de los nuncas solo ubo un Méndez y jamás abra otro orgullo mexicano

[@fredroby6326]

UNIQUE.

[@louisbannet3141]

I spoke to him in 1968 and asked him how he recorded it and Mr. Mendez said he recorded 16 bars at a time and they they spliced it together.

[@alsuz]

Thank you for sharing this information, Louis, that's what I know too. I think that he could've recorded that piece in one take, like Nakariakov and Marsalis.

[@mossimmomossimmo699]

@@alsuz I have heard others who heard him live playing this piece in one take using circular breathing.

[@alsuz]

Yes, mossimmo, we know that he was capable of that. I think he just decided not to use circular breathing in this recording. Have a blessed weekend, God bless you.

[@luistaoperdomo95]

EL PAPA DE LOS POLLITOS RAFAEL MENDEZ Q.E.P.D

[@EleazarMateozuniga]

Cuenta la Leyenda que Rafael Méndez traía consigo un Compresor Integrado

[@alsuz]

🙂

[@DanielSmith-ee6gm]

Good player.

[@jesinaldomacenademenezes3885]

Show!

[@dmtp777]

循環呼吸ですね。お見事です。ウイントン・マリサリスが10分間くらいできると言っていたがその通りですね。

[@janosvanyo5179]

Zseniális !!

[@josesalcedo2281]

Master

[@BM0603]

If you listen carefully, you can hear a few times where the engineer splices the tape in, the playing is a little clearer. There is no one on this planet, nor has there been, someone who could play that cleanly, that fast, for that long, while circular breathing, on a trumpet, in one take. That is not to take away from this tremendous achievement, just making it clear what reality is in a recording studio intended for public consumption. Live, more realistic, is his Flight of the Bumblebee performance video, which has brief breaks to reset everything, as seen here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYbMm2t8eMxjsJosi=ANLFW1A2g80TrHxI

[@alsuz]

I posted the story behind this recording on the video description, Mark, take a look. The two other recordings of the MOTO, by Sergei Nakariakov and Wynton Marsalis were played in one take, non stop. Take care, God bless you.

[@ivang.martinezmorales9341]

¡Maravilloso!!! ¿Cómo logró la respiración?

[@alsuz]

'Moto Perpetuo breathing'...

[@jorgeramos-veguilla3265]

Circular breathing

[@theoneaboveall886]

Es una técnica llamada respiración circular. La respiración circular es una técnica utilizada en la ejecución de instrumentos de viento, y sirve para evitar tener que interrumpir el sonido de este al respirar. Esto se logra al almacenar aire en la boca y soplarlo mientras se inhala aire por la nariz, para luego continuar exhalando aire desde los pulmones. En la música académica, aunque pocas piezas compuestas antes del siglo XX requieren realmente su uso, permite la ejecución de piezas originalmente compuestas para instrumentos de cuerda en instrumentos de viento, lo que de otra manera no sería posible. Tomado de la wikipedia

[@michaelsaxtrumpet]

Candelaaaaaaaaaaa

[@rjb1122]

How was this accomplished with one breath? Double breathing technique??

[@alsuz]

Yep, 'moto perpetuo' breathing...

[@Zhalfrin]

Circular breathing (though this recording was two parts joined, still impressive and nigh inhuman haha) Sergei Nakarikov's recording is afaik the only one done in one full take.

[@alsuz]

Wynton Marsalis also recorded it in one take, Zhalfrin.

[@Zhalfrin]

@@alsuz thanks, you're correct, I'm sorry. I didn't include Wynton solely because he slurred the piece rather than double tongued, but it's still ridiculously impressive.

[@louisbannet3141]

I actually met him when I was younger. He told me he played it in parts that were 16 bars long. They were then spliced together. This is coming directly from Mr. Mendez around 1968 or 69.

[@tab89]

I bet his wife was a VERY happy lady.

[@melvinmoreno4845]

Es una cobarde arte .

Dios

[@jesemedellin7544]

Mexicano ajuaa

[@toddmeier9743]

When only one note just won't do!!!

[@TheReaLRobDinero]

Sheesh! God bless...

[@UnstableRebel]

I want to say so many things but I

[@leonaltamirano1008]

Arturo Sandoval se quedada corto

[@clementesilva1209]

Incluyendo a Maurice André.

[@isaacisamelguerra531]

Para mí concepto ,es mas difícil en trompeta que violín.

[@alsuz]

Yes indeed, Isaac. Have a happy and blessed New Year!

[@giuseppecangiamilla8138]

It's better than Nakariakov

[@abcantonisk.4752]

Α ha ha ha.....lol. impossibile, imposible. with one breath ....ha ha ha

[@clawboss2028]

It’s called circular breathing