It was written for, and is dedicated to, James Watson.
It is the last in a series of brass concerti which the composer first started in 1970 with his Horn Concerto, written for Ifor James. Since then he has completed a Tuba Concerto (1976, for John Fletcher), a Trombone Concerto (1979, for Michael Hext) and finally the Trumpet Concerto (1983).
The Trumpet Concerto is in three movements. The first movement, Allegro giusto, has a sonata form outline and contrasts two main ideas: the first is strident, angular and highly rhythmic, whilst the second is more lyrical and pensive. The second movement, dedicated In Memoriam Dmitri Shostakovich, uses his personal 4-note musical cypher and has contrasting elements. After an introduction, the trumpet enters dramatically. The music here is fragmented, but soon dissolves into a more flowing middle section which builds to a powerful climax. The opening music returns, this time in inversion, and leads to a simple and plaintive re-working of the first trumpet entry. The tension has been resolved.
A cadenza follows, linking straight into the Finale, Vivo e brillante. This is exuberant in style and cast in rondo form. The rondo theme itself abounds in upward running scales. The episodes, a broad sweeping tune followed by a hectic string fugato based on the rondo theme, and finally a 6/8 scherzo, punctuate the various re-appearances of the main theme. A virtuoso coda concludes the concerto.
