Here I present "Trumpeter's Lullaby" by Leroy Anderson. composed in 1949. This is the original version. I take, as my theme, trumpeters from across the world, past and present.
Leroy Anderson is one of this nation's most under-appreciated composers. Everyone knows his music, but very few are aware of the musical genius who created such rare aural beauty. His music is pure joy, and everytime I listen to his creations, I feel as though I have been re-created all over again!
I was a kid in the 50s. When someone gave my mom an album of Mr. Anderson’s music. I rolled my eyes and headed for the door. But the most amazing silvery trumpet floated out of the stereo and I was transfixed. Whenever I hear i still am. (.Or any of his music, really.). Remarkable man. Remarkable music. Thank you for sharing it here.
I've always loved this since I first heard it in the late 1950's when Jack Carey, a talented trumpet player in the Albany High School Band, played it at one of our concerts. I didn't realize until then how emotional a trumpet piece could be. That was the first I heard of Leroy Anderson and it has remained a favorite all these years.
My daughter played this as a solo in her 8th grade band many years ago. Her director told me after the concert that it was the first time in his long career he'd ever had an 8th grade trumpet soloist. As I listened and filmed Jennifer playing I thought my heart would burst with pride. No, it was not a perfect performance, but it is and will always be my favorite performance of his tune.
+Ben Johnson Ben, this is what is so good and enduring about the music of Leroy Anderson. We each have memories associated with his music. A genius! Thanks, Nigel
Ben, I share your exact sentiments! Much of Anderson's music incorporates the emotive emphasis, the memories in life! That's why we all respond in kind,,,,,,, humanity is really one BIG PERSON! LOL!!
I am with you on that, although in my case it was my dad, gone when I was 17. I didn't find the full version of this until after he had died but to this day it still reminds me greatly of him as it was one of his favorites.
I guess I was introduced to this music at home also. So sorry it brings sadness to you. I also heard this from a band member at my high school. He performed at a concert and did an excellent job. A,ways loved this and still.
This is so sad to listen to it reminds me of my youth and my older brother listened to this he was my mentor and I sure miss him. Also it reminds me of my school days each time I pass by my old hi school so sad , I really dream when I hear this tune. Love it.
I remember my sons'going to musical school and their playing in a brass band.None of them became a musician, but music stands high in their esteem.Thank you for the music,Nigel.
Thank you very much, Lara for your visit. As a child I had piano lessons which i enjoyed very much.That and also singing in the choir gave me a great appreciation of music Have a pleasant day! Warm greetings! Nigel
Love the sound of the trumpet. Always respected the trumpeters and don't understand how you can play such wonderful tunes with only three valves.))) Thank you very much, dear friend Nigel! Greetings and best wishes!
Yes, 3 valves, with embrosure (lips) teeth supporting pressure of mouthpiece, tongue, much breath control of air from lungs. All God given things, like eyes for reading the written notes, or from memory, dianamics. discretionary hearing as it goes. Leroy Anderson was, is, my favorite composer. I particularly enjoyed playing this in high school, not as well performed as these polished musicians, but acceptable. I really enjoyed hearing this again from many memories of years past. Thanks Nigel for putting this on !🌈🦋
This piece is my current musical obsession. That Mr. Sutton has accompanied it with a stunning photoessay with striking shots, many surely taken by the world’s greatest photographers, ain’t too shabby, either, and means that I can’t play the piece while doing anything else. Although the horn player (who is he?) is exquisite, if anything, the dominant section is the strings. I believe that even if Mr. Sutton hadn’t cited the year, I would have guessed the recording as having been from the 1940s, due to the divine strings, which remind me of much beautiful movie music from that, the greatest of decades. But of course, the composition is made by the marriage of horn and strings. I grew up on Leroy Anderson! Leroy who? I’m not sure I’d ever heard the man’s name, prior to a couple of years ago. But as a wee lad, I frequently heard Ella Fitzgerald’s rendition of “Sleigh Ride,” with lyrics added by Mitchell Parish (“Stardust”), at Christmastime. Whenever a local TV station’s techie had trouble setting up an old movie, the station would play “Syncopated Clock.” Somewhere, along the way, I also heard “The Typewriter.” But I didn't know the names of the recordings, and I'd never heard "Trumpeter's Lullaby," not even from Jonathan Schwartz. Apparently, Leroy Anderson lived in a world of music and musical inspiration, such that any "ordinary," daily sound he heard, could cause a new composition to spring into his head. Through Mr. Sutton, I have also learned some tunes from Anderson that were new to me. Thanks for all you have done, sir. I was so young when I heard some of these pieces that they must have been playing on my mom’s radio station, WOR-AM. Later, when I adopted “the Sinatra Station,” WNEW-AM, as my own (circa 1972), I would have again heard “Sleigh Ride.”
I just gave your lovely comment a "Like," and I wish I could give it many more. I share your admiration for Leroy Anderson and your appreciation of Nigel Fowler Sutton.
Brenda Orvis Shay ....my father really enjoyed the music of Leroy Anderson. My earliest memories as a kid growing up in the 50 and 60s was always hearing his melodies being played on a record player my father had.....
I don't why, but I'm crying as I type this. There's just something about this piece that's so deeply satisfying, yet at the same time, moving. But then, doesn't that apply to the vast majority of Mr. Anderson's pieces?
Used to be used by R Luxemburg in the 1960s as intro to the bedtime story programme. They loved Leroy Anderson. Also had Belle of the Ball as a theme music and used Typewriter for the letter box show
Everytime I used to listen to Trumpeters Holiday & Buglers Holiday it always made me think about the Hudson cars which the Hudson Hornets & Hudson Wasps were the original Low Riders. The Hudson cars have stared in movies such as Porky’s 1 & Driving Miss Daisy.
Mendez - - - May be the best technician/entertainer of the 20th century. His "notes" could be harsh, soft, loud, staccato, smooth,,,, all in the same musical phrase if needed!!
Such a beautiful song, and a nice slideshow.... thanks for sharing it with us!!! But unless I missed him, the great Harry James is conspicuously absent from the slideshow.
+Nigel Fowler Sutton No problem!!! Again, this song and slideshow is a great tribute to trumpet players, and thank you for giving us a chance to see it.
Im 14 and I need to play this song good to get a great mark. If you play it slowly and have a good tone, you can learn it in a month, but I dont have a good tone :D
This particular piece is unfamiliar to me. Perhaps it is one of Anderson's less popular melodies, though I can't think why it should be. It is a typical example of one of his trumpet-themed tunes and a pleasant listen, as are they all. An interesting photo album, Nigel, although I was only able to put names to less than a couple of handfuls of the players. I did notice, however, that you had sneaked in a few flugelhorns and trombones !!
Hello Martin and thank you fore your visit and great comment. I had great enjoyment sourcing the pictures and, as you say, sneaking in a couple of other instruments - only noticed by those with a keen eye and knowledge!! Warm greetings. Nigel
Thank you, Nigel! Who is the soloist? Very tastefully played! I will be performing the Solo Bb Cornet part on the wonderful British Eighth March by Zo Elliott in a week. Very honored to play such music! Here's a great RU-vid link to a recording of the British Eighth March - you'll love it! : ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-hN4AUUrvEg4.html
Hello Thomas. Thank you for your visit and comment. As for the soloist, there was no mention of who it was, on the notes. Good luck in playing solo Bb Cornet on the British Eighth March. It's a really super march. Warm greetings! Nigel
