Rafael Mendez - Scherzo in D minor

Another great video of Rafael Mendez. This time an excerpt from his video special entitled "The Trumpet." This is the first song he plays on the special. I have the whole thing so I'll be uploading it all in parts.

[@tatendamapisire1597]

Greatest trumpeter!

[@Mrgop]

Moto Perpetuo was actually 8 sections Mendez edited into 1. He could play it in one take legato, but he didn't think it would be effective. He told me this in 1977. I saw him play the finale to Carnival in Venice with ONE finger in 1974. No one will ever match his abilities.

[@AndyZach]

I also heard and saw him do Carnival with one finger in 1974 at my high school near Cleveland.

[@johnpedicone7795]

Best ever.

[@Sacto_Dave]

Our band director brought him to our high school in 1966-67. He worked with our school orchestra for a few days and I got to share the stage with the great man. His attention to detail was what I came away with from that experience.

[@Nabokov50]

I know this has been said before, but it's worth repeating. It's too damn bad this incomparable virtuoso lived when recording technology was in its infancy.

[@Caff-pv8fg]

Still sounds great too 😂

[@BruceKinsey]

Raphael Mendez was the first the first classical trumpeter I ever heard and his handling of Scherzo in D minor is to me, Mendez at his most beautiful... And the reason I took up the instrument. Thank you Zooter1940s for all of your remarkable videos.

[@mikemx21]

Maestro Rafael Mendez, Donde quiera que te encuentres debes saber que mexico te admira y que eres una gran inspiracion para todos los musicos mexicanos. Tu virtuosismo nos hace creer que no hay limites.

[@fenixpoot]

No saben que orgulloso me siento en este momento. Soy Mexicano y actualmente estoy sumamente deprimido y avergonzado de serlo, nuestro gobierno es horrible. Pero este video me hizo recordar que los Mexicanos sí podemos hacer bien las cosas. ¡Cómo me hubiera gustado haber vivido en ese México de ensueño!

[@juliosanchez357]

His lips were damaged because of two accidentes, not because of an incorrect embouchure. In fact, there is no "correct" embouchure. There is a suggested type of embouchure, but not a correct one because everyone's face is structured differently. You cannot have one uniform embouchure type because everyone has a different anatomy. But yes, there is a recommended/suggested embouchure.

[@Vee90]

You are all insane to think this is dubbed! You must just have a bad internet connection. It is perfect from where I'm sitting, and would be physically impossible to synch the faster passages exactly along with the fingering in the video. They are perfectly together in what I've watched. Thank you so much Zooter for sharing all of these. Rafael is a GOD where musicians are concerned.

[@globaltefl]

Yes! Once he told me that after 8 anchors he started to get tired.

[@johnpedicone7795]

Let's make sure we are clear about it -- this man is without question (not even close) thee GREATEST trumpet player who ever walked on this earth. If there is any doubt listen to him playing MOTO PERPETUO - over 5 minutes of triple tonguing thousands of notes perfectly (of course) while, at the same time circular breathing. No breath marks can be detected.

[@gunplamaster]

He is a legend to all trumpet player

[@lmaraya]

I wish I could heard him live. I think that most of his recording do not capture his real sound. It would had being a so much a greater experience to heard him live. Incredible!!!

[@cataldobarberi-didatticade6277]

Veramente un grande virtuoso!

[@trumpsahead]

@RafaelSatchmo After that comment, I'm taking your side. There can be no argument that Rafael Mendez had such unbelievable command of his axe; 'though he was not a jazz musician, he could have created anything on the spot he wanted and play it flawlessly. So, yeah, come to think of it, classical musicians of a couple hundred years ago improvised all the time - like Mozart - as that was the music of the day and improv or new compositions on the spot were probably more commonplace than today.

[@cmcas]

I'm a bassoon player so I wouldn't know much but this is truly impressive!! anyway I find this sound so "50s" I mean the style.. Nowadays people tend to play more dolce..

[@manriqa123]

we just don't have talent that anymore it makes me sad inside this was song was so beautiful I actually cried and I never cry for anything

[@johnpedicone7795]

Best ever.

[@Bflat1]

What I like, besides his obvious mastery of the horn, is the ease in which he plays it. He's got a big sound and you know he had hours and hours and hours of chops.

[@mexijew]

that double tonguing almost to the end was just AWESOME..dam

[@user-oc2by1bw3g]

Yes

[@pokemon474747]

and OMG how can he move his fingers so quickly =D i idolize him lol

[@trumpet95]

what fire!

[@richardgordon8110]

HE SINGLE, DOUBLE AND TRIPLE STACCATO IS AMAZING.

[@richardgordon8110]

Cleanest double ringing I've ever heard. He was startling.

[@richardgordon8110]

I HATE THIS FUCKIN' PHONE TO BITS.

[@richardgordon8110]

ITS "HIS"

[@richardgordon8110]

DOUBLE TONGING. NOT DOUBLE RINGING.

[@MKDAWUSS]

... and what's amazing is how clear and articulate he is, even though the sound is a little scratchy due to the age of the film

[@DominusOminous]

Laugh though you might, besides running one of the best horn bands in the business, Severson at his peak was a classical powerhouse with astounding articulation and technical flair. His lip slurs were second to none. Mendez is a trumpet god, no doubt, but even he would acknowledge other great players with humility, I am sure.

[@girlietpt]

wow...something to aspire to

[@johnpedicone7795]

Best ever. Period.

[@tonidimitri]

mendez is one of my first and favourite idols, but im sorry to tell you guys this... he is miming on this video. it was a studio recording on top and he is just playing along without blowing in his horn..there is another clip on here with his 2 sons notice the sound is the same

[@BruceKinsey]

Lucky for us, his family had re-released some of his best work on CDs about 10 years ago.

[@starbuxntimmys]

WOW =]

[@jacquillo]

articulation and sound are very close to the technque of the cornet (which had disapeared from the music scene at least 30 years before that recording). he was a witness of an extint style. great document !

[@dkafer]

do you have a video of Moto Perpetuo live?

[@Camoteconchiltepin]

I can only say woooowwww

[@3shiftgtr]

Hey Nabokov50- I'm a guitar player, but RM was my Dad's fav. I was tickled to find video of him playing. How technically does he compare to Sandoval?

[@TheGhoulardi]

If you don't thjnk he can jazz listen to his cover of "Body and Soul". Nothing short of GENIUS !!

[@RafaelSatchmo]

@trumpsahead @trumpsahead You've never heard Mendez improvise. His recording of "I Know that You Know" with his Mendez All Stars Big Band showcases his ability to improvise. Nothing short of incredible. And not a missed note. He just had complete mastery of the horn. Miles Davis would crack a note and call it part of the experience. Mendez didn't crack notes, or miss one, when he improvised in jazz (at least on the recordings I've heard).

[@trumpsahead]

@RafaelSatchmo Hi, I listened to "I Know..." played by Mendez and Orchestra. Yes, fantastic performance. I don't question his virtuosity btw, I think he was by far the greatest trumpet virtuoso that ever lived. I would call "I Know..." an "arrangement" but not necessarily an "improvisation" unless you know for a fact that he was improvising. Most big band songs are arranged or at least the improv is very rehearsed so there are no surprises. I'm gonna learn Virgen de la Macarena I just heard.

[@G0NZAL0666]

asi somos de geniales en mexico ._. visiten guanajuat0 jajaaa

[@trumpsahead]

@JackyWhiite Mendez is clearly a great performer, a virtuoso, a fantastic technical trumpet wizard, what else can I say, truly a great artist and entertainer, a legend. The label "musician" is too general; he plays music, he's a musician. Sorry I posted the earlier post, it was hasty. It's just that when you play a song hundreds of times every note the same as the first time you can lose the creative inspiration. I'd rather be a great improviser than a great technician. See what Yehudi said.

[@RafaelSatchmo]

@trumpsahead You're right to a degree. But most jazz folks have worked out their riffs and so on ahead of time; just listen to their different recordings of the same piece. The comment by one musician associated with Mendez in the 1940s and 50s is that he DID improvise on the spot in many of his concerts. And up until the mid-1960s, he performed upwards of 120 concerts in six months each year. Yes he stands at the top of all trumpeters. I've been working on "Virgen..." for years. Maybe next year

[@nelsony2568]

this is man is something, can any one tells which one is more difficult to play this song carnival of venice of meto perpetuo

[@newromantic1]

2 words......Holy s***

[@iamunnameable]

Is there any chance to get the whole documentary? I can’t seem to be able to find the whole, uncut documentary anywhere.

[@kyledugger]

Mendez learned to double tongue before single

[@HoboNinja2]

@teflonde Anything but mechanical. He plays with more feeling and class than most.

[@sublmbadfish]

Anyone here heard the John Hagstrom recording...if not buy the CD on Itunes...worth it. Search music for trumpet and winds.

[@oldschooldrumcorps]

True, Louis Armstrong was not a classically trained player. his instrument was the Coronet, and he came to play from a whole different perspective. Rafael is clearly a master of the European style of music, where louis is a master of the only true American music form, Jazz. But belive it or not, in Mendez' playing, I can hear a touch of the Mariachi

[@ornerybrosint]

maybe that's more what people thought of in his later years but Armstrong got his rep as the best trumpet player in New Orleans and later in various bands like King Oliver's and then his own recordings with Hot 5's & 7's.

[@deadhood_66]

I have the music and following along i agree is hard enough

[@marshmallowmann20]

jesusfreak072 you're so damn right... he's the ideal i'm following

[@johnpedicone7795]

Best ever.

[@Trumpetz81]

I'm giving Vizutti plenty of credit. I've seen the guy play and he's phenomenal, a technical freak. Real nice guy too. Nonetheless, I still don't think he's in quite the same league as Mendez.

[@JohnsonSmithson]

What do you think now?

[@andrewmiller5610]

True!!!! He can't touch Rafael Mendez greatness.

[@Camoteconchiltepin]

I can only say woooowwww--iii

[@alebojnab]

Esa articulación está tan limpia, que se puede comer

[@kyledugger]

They are difficult for completely different reasons. Moto is difficult because you have to circular breathe. Carnival is difficult due to the myriad of techniques involved.

[@Nabokov50]

It's not demonstrated here, but Mendez is the only trumpet player I have ever heard double-tongue a trill.

[@gertnood]

You must have stopped it before 1:37. It is lyrical from 1:37 - 3:40. Mendez was a wizard and this is one of the things he did. He could also play gorgeous lyrical lines. He is one of if not the most respected trumpet player that ever lived.

[@BMofficialvids]

Rafael Mendez is to trumpet as Buddy Rich is to drums

[@Mrgop]

True, but Rafael spent time with his fans while Rich refused to acknowledge them. I saw him do this at Disneyland in the 1970s.

[@NLA1997]

muy bien perfecto se luce

[@gertnood]

Try Sergei Nakariakov, who made his first recording at age 14 and sounds 30. The most frightening talent I've seen in ages.

[@lunageologist]

I have to agree Nabookov50, this recording totally ruins the music, but he is an amazing player, I really wish I could hear it in better audio.

[@theman9126]

he is the modern luois armstrong on the trumpet....a trumpet version of andrew marriner or stanley drucker

[@freshhh1994]

Proof?

[@OniMurasame]

@Nabokov50 The recording totally RUINS the awesomeness of the performance. But even with the crappy recording, you can FULLY recognize the level of mastery of the instrument. Hearing him play just makes myself want to quit playing and study harder altogether!

[@popnlocker77]

This sounds like a major and not a minor key

[@robgrune3284]

Mendez is an unsurpassed virtuoso. Such a terrible pity the recording tech back then was so primitive compared to today: we are not hearing his true sound. From others before me who knew him personally, his sound was on the bright side with a touch of mariachi - most unique. Also, a pity he did not pass on his breathing technique to more disciples, for this technique seems almost to be lost to history.

[@pokemon474747]

If he can single tounge all that, he is god of trumpets, although, knowing him, he did xD i cant double tongue that fast and im pretty fast lol

[@freshhh1994]

He composed this piece himself... lol.

[@Trumpetz81]

Yeah man I didn't mean that as an insult. I'd give one of my testes to be able to do what Vizutti does. I'd just give them both to play the way Mendez does. Wait, no.

[@Nabokov50]

You may not like the music he plays or his style, but technically, he has no peers. He's been dead 28 years and no equal has surfaced.

[@alexismendoza7106]

¿Por qué aparece como video borrado? :(

[@TheChpex]

sin duda era de michoacan mexico y los mexicanos si k somos chingones

[@Trumpetz81]

Vizutti would insert a few loud high notes and still fall short of playing the piece even half as convincingly. He also isn't as clean.

[@tompussina]

Però accidenti quanto si dimenava. Sembrava sui carboni ardenti.

[@ronwass]

How can you possibly say this guy is not a true "musician" just because he isn't much of an improviser like the others you mention. Might as well say Jascha Heifetz wasn't a true musician.

[@kyledugger]

Oddly enough though, La virgin de la Macarena, his trademark piece, is not included. Wonder why that is...... stupid money-making publishers, lol

[@DanS24106]

The recording and amplification technology was horrible back then. One wonders what he actually sounded like. The accompaniment is very poorly (if at all) mixed and his playing is given no acoustical embellishment or help.