The Trumpets Gilbert Vinter

[@ColinGraham1]

Some notes about the work, for those who don't know it! Gilbert Vinter (1909-1969) The Trumpets The Trumpets presents a grand spectacle, written as it was for baritone and trumpet soloists, chorus and a good sized Brass Band with percussion section. The work is in four titled movements reflecting roles the trumpet has played in history within a largely biblical framework. The texts used are based on the old testament with the chorus playing the part of dispassionate observers as in classical Greek theatre (with some word-painting thrown in for good measure) and the baritone representing the voice of God and narrator. The opening movement, Blazon, takes the form of an extended introductory fanfare, the trumpet in ceremonial garb, paving the way for greater things to come. Destruction, the second movement sees the entry of the chorus telling the story of Joshua and the laying to waste of the walls of Jericho by the sound of trumpets alone. Vinter's depiction of the tumbling city walls leaves little to the imagination. The movement closes with the trumpets in exultant celebration of victory. Next comes Dedication, and God speaks to Moses and the children of Israel using the trumpet as a metaphor for communication with the divine and as an instrument for worship. In war and peace alike the trumpet should sound - and Vintner takes every opportunity to exploit the technical resources of the brass in painting his vivid tableau. The final gargantuan movement - almost twice the length of the first three movements together - is Revelation, when the final trumpet sounds. The movement divides into seven sections, each opening with a revelatory fanfare from one of the seven Archangels heralding the end of the world. Now this is a real tour-de-force of brass pyrotechnics: the trumpets,the brass and a battery of percussion are called upon to describe the bloody sea raging, the bottomless pit and even the wrath of God before an exultant final cry of praise ends the work with a bang.

[@Utoobtime27]

There is the GILBERT VINTER - COMPOSER Facebook page if anyone is interested in further info about this wonderful musician

[@Geoff_Tuba_UK]

Very, very rarely performed work. So, thank you for posting.

[@linhudson3729]

Yes - I sang it in York Minster in the early 1970s I believe as part of a large amateur local choir and have never heard of it being performed since. I was only about 16/17 - what an experience.

[@Keith24655]

What’s happening between Dedication and Revelation? I don’t remember that as part of The Trumpets.

[@ColinGraham1]

That's what I call one of the "revalatory fanfares" in my notes, it's kind of a prelude to the final movement.