Alexander Arutiunian was a Soviet-Armenian composer and pianist from the twentieth century. Composed in 1950, Arutiunian’s Concerto for Trumpet and Piano in A-flat major quickly became one of his most recognized compositions as well as a standard in repertoire for trumpet. The concerto was originally meant to be written for Zsolak Vartasarian, the current principal trumpet of the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra in the early 1940s. However, Vartasarian died in World War II before the composition was complete, so the concerto was premiered by Aykaz Messlayan. However, Soviet Russian trumpet player Timofei Dockkshitzer made the first recording of the piece and was largely responsible for expanding the concerto’s popularity to the United States.

Arutiunian’s works were highly influenced by the melodies and rhythmic patterns of Armenian folk music, and his trumpet concerto acts as a “show piece,” sharing characteristics with Gypsy, Armenian and Russian music. The concerto opens with a dramatic, cadenza-like introduction that is followed by the main theme in the Allegro Energico section, highlighting the instrument’s capacity for fiery passion and virtuostic flair. The trumpet continues with a soulful melody that soars over the accompaniment before returning to Tempo Primo with exciting multiple tonguing passages. A nocturnal section follows with a lyrical, and sensitive muted trumpet melody that is followed by the return of the main theme. The trumpet plays an unaccompanied cadenza that hurdles towards the end of the piece and finishes with an exhilarating conclusion.