World-renowned trumpeter Bibi Black makes her debut on Chandos with three stunning trumpet concertos.

There is little available to rival this disc. There are no other recordings of Pakhmutova’s Concerto or the Variations by Arutiunian currently available, and only one alternative of the other two works.

This is the fourth disc from Constantine Orbelian and the Moscow Chamber Orchestra. They have previously had success with discs as diverse as Paganini (CHAN 9492), Prokofiev (CHAN 96150) and Arutiunian (CHAN 9566).

Orbelian has worked closely with the daughter of the composer Alexander Arutiunian, giving this disc a definitive stamp of approval.



Apart from a brief period of study in Moscow in the late 1940s, Arutiunian’s development as a creative artist was entirely associated with his native Armenia. His Trumpet Concerto dates from 1950 and, in keeping with the Soviet cultural policies of the time, the composer attempted to produce a work that reflected his own national culture. Written as a single continuous movement, it creates a vivid impression through a succession of sharply contrasting episodes. Arutiunian’s Variations for Trumpet and Orchestra consists of a theme, written in neo-classical style, and five variations. Most of the longer variations are of slower tempi, but are contrasted with the faster second variation with its hints ‘Bolero’ rhythm and the brilliant finale.

Pakhmutova was born in Stalingrad and studied at the Central Music School and later at the Moscow Conservatory. She has held positions of eminence in the Soviet hierarchy: Secretary to the Board of the USSR Union of Composers, People’s Artist of the USSR (1984) and member of the Presidium of the RFSFR Supreme Soviet (1985-90). The Trumpet Concerto was written while she was still at the Conservatory and is in a single movement. It is steeped in the neo-classical tradition which was seen in Soviet musical circles as an antidote to avant-garde tendencies.

Vainberg was born in Poland but during the Nazi occupation fled to the USSR. A prolific composer, especially in the world of the symphony and string quartet, he became increasingly drawn to the concerto style. The Trumpet Concerto is without doubt a highly distinctive work. Whilst adhering to the traditional three movements of the classical concerto (the last two are linked), the music unfolds like a psychological drama, and contains grotesque humour and tragedy.

‘Conductor Constantine Orbelian clearly understands that this is Grubert’s show, so he (and the Chandos engineers) allows the violinist to have centre stage to herself for the most part. When needed, though, the orchestra offers expressive and colourful support.
‘Constantine Orbelian and the Moscow Chamber Orchestra accompany with sensitivity and passion and give a splendid account of Arutiunian’s Sinfonietta’

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