The Draughtsman’s Contract: Wynton Marsalis and Michael Nyman

Wynton Marsalis Trumpet Concerto
Michael Nyman Prospero’s Books
Michael Nyman The Draughtsman’s Contract

Aaron Azunda Akugbo trumpet
Joanna MacGregor conductor

Opening with the call of a wild elephant – nature’s first trumpeter – jazz supremo Wynton Marsalis’ Trumpet Concerto is nothing less than a dizzying history of the instrument. Travelling through fanfares and ceremonial music, Louis Armstrong and New Orleans blues, Paris conservatoire-playing and Mexican flaring trumpet, its thirty-five minutes is a feat of classical and jazz, stamina and technical prowess for both soloist and orchestra. The fabulously gifted Nigerian-Scottish trumpeter Aaron Azunda Akugbo is the star of this multifaceted work, promising a performance of virtuosic fireworks and playfulness. And it needs seven different trumpet mutes! An absolute must.

In the second half, Brighton Philharmonic presents two classic film scores from one of Britain’s finest – and most multifaceted – living composers and writers, Michael Nyman. His translucent, alchemical suite from Peter Greenaway’s 1991 film Prospero’s Books complements four movements from his 1982 rollicking hit, The Draughtsman’s Contract: jazzy, punchy re-imaginings of Henry Purcell, sounding as fresh (and provocative) as the day they were written.

‘Aaron Azunda Akugbo served up a flute of sparkling champagne, the effervescent brilliance of his playing radiating through the outer movements.’ – Bachtrack