Classical musician Paul Merkelo discusses The Enlightened Trumpet

Trumpeter Paul Merkelo has a new record out on the Sony Classical label titled The Enlightened Trumpet.The album includes recitals of concertos by Haydn, Hummel, Telemann, and Mozart.He is joined on the album by Oxford Philharmonic.Recently, Merkelo spoke with the Rio Grande Guardian about the new recording. The interview can be heard on the attached podcast.Merkelo has been Principal trumpet for the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal since 1995. He has held the same positions with the Rochester Philharmonic and New Orleans Symphony. He gained early orchestral experience as an extra with the New York Philharmonic and Pittsburgh Symphony. Merkelo is on the music faculty at McGill University.Merkelo has been hailed as ‘the new Maurice André’ by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The Montreal Gazette called him “a spectacular soloist... a most impressive master of his instrument.” Gramaphone magazine said he has “unusual lyrical gifts.”He was the first member of OSM to be invited to record a debut solo album with the orchestra (French Trumpet Concertos - Kent Nagano).Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.