Compositions for Trumpet by Joseph Turrin: A Historical and Musical Overview

Joseph Turrin’s compositions for trumpet are frequently performed, and have

become a large part of the trumpet repertoire. His trumpet works are played at events

such as International Trumpet Guild conferences, have been featured with many well-known

orchestras and bands, and are standard recital works. Many of Turrin’s trumpet

works have been performed and recorded by well-established musicians, which include

Philip Smith, Joseph Alessi, David Hickman, Robert Sullivan, Brian Shaw, Thomas

Hooten, Terry Everson, Wynton Marsalis, and Alison Balsom.

This study examines in detail each of Joseph Turrin’s twenty-four published

works for trumpet. Turrin’s pieces include Elegy, Caprice, Concerto for Trumpet, Intrada,

Two Portraits, Someone to Watch Over Me, Chronicles, Two Gershwin Portraits,

Fandango, and Three Episodes, and include pieces written for Philip Smith, Joseph

Alessi, Wynton Marsalis, Harold Lieberman, Lew Soloff, Brian Shaw, Robert Sullivan,

and Thomas Hooten. A complete history of each composition and arrangement, and

information relating to their premieres are presented. Technical elements from the music

are discussed, such as range, articulation, melodic contour, endurance, and difficult

fingerings. Biographical information such as youth, education, and career about Turrin

are incorporated, along with a discussion of his compositional characteristics and

influences. In addition, a list of each work with an assigned difficulty grade, as well as a

current discography, is included.