Uncovering Three Trumpet Works of Sofia Gubaidulina

Abstract

Russian composer Sofia Gubaidulina has composed several pieces for brass, but only three that are exclusively for trumpet. They are Song Without Words, Two Ballads for Two Trumpets and Piano, and Trio for Three Trumpets. These works are not commonly played, but are an important part of the trumpet repertoire, as they were written in a time and place in history which is not well-represented in the field of solo trumpet music. This project report includes analysis of Gubaidulina’s three works for trumpet, as well as biographical information on the composer. The three pieces contrast each other and are different from other works by Gubaidulina from the same period. Together, the Song Without Words, Two Ballads for Two Trumpets, and Trio for Three Trumpets use simple musical ideas to represent three different types of communication: a monologue, a narrative, and a discussion.