Publicity
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From the AJC
“Stephenson has a ruddy, almost amber sound, and he negotiated Haydn’s acrobatic writing, which gets especially gymnastic in the finale of the three-movement work, with a vibrant flexibility. In the first movement’s cadenza, Stephenson took his time, deliberately sounding out each note after wide melodic leaps, warming to a series of crowning high notes. The Baroque composition, sandwiched between two more complex works, could have sounded a bit out of touch with the rest of the program, but Stephenson’s dark tone gave the performance a vivid shine.” |
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From ArtsATL
“That set the stage for Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto, which featured ASO principal trumpet Stuart Stephenson as soloist...For his part, Stephenson displayed a liquid lyricism and great dexterity in his playing, including his very fine cadenza in the first movement. In a contrasting encore, Stephenson swapped to piccolo trumpet to play The Beatles’ “Penny Lane”, where that instrument’s crisply bright sound captured the music’s cheerful character well.” |
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From ArtsATL
“Perhaps the afternoon’s most surprising standout came from trumpeter Stuart Stephenson’s showstopping performances on the Aria from J.S. Bach’s Jauchzet Gott in Allen Landen and Giuseppe Torelli’s three-part Trumpet Concerto in D. Stephenson is, simply, a master of tonality, drawing from his horn a pure, unadulterated sound that allows the melody to exist on a transcendental, eternally pleasing level. He is truly a player to watch.” |
From EarRelevant, 2020
“The clear and agile voice of soprano Maria Valdez paired well with the clarion sound of Stuart Stephenson’s trumpet...”
“The tempo picked up and the sun shone throu the cloud...the Trumpet Concerto in D by Italian Baroque composer Giuseppe Torelli.....but it hung together to underscore Stephenson’s solo trumpet.”
“The clear and agile voice of soprano Maria Valdez paired well with the clarion sound of Stuart Stephenson’s trumpet...”
“The tempo picked up and the sun shone throu the cloud...the Trumpet Concerto in D by Italian Baroque composer Giuseppe Torelli.....but it hung together to underscore Stephenson’s solo trumpet.”