CCMusic.com

Mary Elizabeth Bowden, praised for her "splendid, brilliant" artistry (Gramophone), celebrates the narrative power of the trumpet with Storyteller: Contemporary Concertos for Trumpet. Bowden is joined by the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra and conductor Allen Tinkham in a collection of new concertos that redefine the trumpet's voice in modern classical music. This recording, a testament to Bowden's commitment to expanding the trumpet repertoire, features world premiere recordings of works by James M. Stephenson, Clarice V. Assad, Vivian Fung, Tyson Gholston Davis, Sarah Kirkland Snider, and Reena Esmail, showcasing the richness and versatility of contemporary classical trumpet music. Two works by James M. Stephenson bookend the program: The Storyteller, which pays homage to legendary trumpeter, Adolph Herseth, and Scram!, a spirited display of musical virtuosity. Clarice Assad's Bohemian Queen draws it's inspiration from the life and visual art of Gertrude Abercrombie, known as "the queen of the bohemian artists" and active in Chicago's jazz circles. Assad's concerto integrates the classical form with the spontaneity of jazz. Vivian Fung's Trumpet Concerto is written for and inspired by Bowden's pioneering journey as a female trumpeter in a male-dominated field. This continuous, episodic work traverses a spectrum of emotions - from struggle to triumph - culminating in a celebratory frenzy that challenges and expands the instruments' traditional boundaries. Tyson Davis's Veiled Light is a musical interpretation of a James Abbott McNeill Whistler painting, Nocturne in Black and Red, conveyed through an exploration of light and shadow. The piece captures the artwork's serene yet dynamic