Haydn, Michael: Concerto No. 2 in C Major for Trumpet and Organ

Born in the Austrian village of Rohrau, near the Hungarian border, Michael Haydn studied singing in Vienna, latterly becoming Kappellmeister at the court of the Prince-Archbishop in Salzburg. He was particularly revered for his sacred choral writing, and was a prolific composer of instrumental music: his output contains a variety of chamber works, serenades, and over forty symphonies.

The Trumpet Concerto No. 2 is estimated to date from around 1762, during Haydn’s early tenure in Salzburg. Its origins are relatively unknown: some scholars consider it to have originally been part of a multi-movement Serenade (like Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto No. 1), whilst others argue it could have been used as an instrumental interlude during Mass. Whatever its genesis, it is undoubtedly one of the most difficult concerti in the repertoire, the long melodic lines and daring leaps (with a tessitura exceeding that of the accompanying flute!) challenging even the most accomplished trumpeter.

Parts included:
- Organ
- Piccolo Trumpet in B-flat