Karl Wilhelm (Vasily Georgievich) Brandt (Willy Brandt) (1869 – 2 February 1923) was a German-Russian trumpeter, pedagogue, and composer. He is the founder of the Russian trumpet school.

Vassily Brandt
Birth nameKarl Wilhelm Brandt
Born1869
Coburg, Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
Died2 February 1923(1923-02-02) (aged 53–54)
Saratov, Saratov Oblast, Russia
GenresClassical
Occupation(s)Musician, composer, conductor, teacher
Instrument(s)Cornet, trumpet, piano
Years active1887-1923

Life

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Karl Wilhelm Brandt was born and educated in Coburg, Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, now part of Germany. Between 1887 and 1890, he worked alternatively in the spa orchestra in Bad Oeynhausen and in Helsinki. He was active in the Helsinki Philharmonic Society, now the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, under Robert Kajanus.[1] In 1890, he changed his name to Vassily Georgyevich and moved to Moscow, Russia.[2]

The opening of the Saratov Conservatory in September 1912 drew Vassily Brandt to Saratov for the remainder of his life. He spoke Russian quite poorly, often relying on demonstration for musical instruction. He died on 2 February 1923, purportedly as the result of a vaccination.[1]

Career

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Vassily Brandt became principal trumpet of the Bolshoi Theatre in 1890 and became first cornet in 1903. He succeeded Theodor Richter (1826–1901) as the second ever trumpet professor of the Moscow Conservatory in 1900, and also taught band orchestration there.[3] In Moscow, he was part of the Russian Musical Society and toured as part of a brass quartet with members of the Bolshoi Theatre. He conducted for the Alexandrovsky Military College military band.

Brandt joined the faculty of the newly established Saratov Conservatory in 1912 as the first professor of trumpet.[3] His fellow brass quartet member Ivan Lipaev made a similar move. There, he managed and conducted the conservatory orchestra in addition to playing as the principal trumpet. He taught using the Arban method and his own compositions.

Influence

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Following the death of Brandt, Konstantin Listov composed Funeral Fanfare for his departed teacher. Brandt's 34 Orchestral Etudes (34 Studies for Trumpet) is an important study material for modern trumpet players. His Last Etudes (The Last Studies) serve a similar purpose. His two Concert Pieces (Konzertstücke Opp. 11–12) for trumpet and piano are also widely performed today. Country Pictures is a notable quartet for trumpets or horns from him. Several of his compositions and etude books are published by International Music Company.

Among his students are Pyotr Lyamin (1884–1968) who succeeded Brandt as a professor at the Saratov Conservatory; Pavel Klochkov (1884–1966) who was an early Russian recording artist; Vladimir Drucker (1898–1974) who was a principal trumpet with the Los Angeles Philharmonic; and Mikhail Tabakov (1877–1956) who became professor at the Moscow Conservatory.[2]

34 Studies for Trumpet
No. Tempo Marking Written Keys Meter Subdivision
1 Allegro alla marcia   = 116 C major 2
4
Sixteenth note
2 Marziale   = 124 B major   Sixteenth note
3 Allegretto   = 108 C major 3
4
Sixteenth note
4 Allegro ma non troppo   = 100 C major   Sixteenth note
5 Allegro   = 126 F major 3
4
Sixteenth note
6 Tempo di Valse  . = 60 F major 3
4
Eighth note
7 Moderato   = 116 C minor 5
4
Sixteenth note
8 Allegro moderato   = 120 E major   Sixteenth note
9   = 116 A minor 7
4
Sixteenth note
10 Tempo di Valse  . = 72 F major 3
4
Eighth note
11 Maestoso   = 84 C major 3
4
Thirty-second note
12 A la Polacca   = 72 G major 3
4
Thirty-second note
13 Marziale   = 120 E minor   Sixteenth note
14 Maestoso   = 108 C major   Thirty-second note and Eighth note triplet
15 Scherzando   = 76 A major 3
8
Sixteenth note
16 Allegro grazioso   = 78 C minor 3
8
Sixteenth note
17 Scherzando  . = 126 F major 6
8
Eighth note
18 Allegro   = 116 F major 6
8
Eighth note
19 Allegro à la chasse  . = 112 E major 6
8
Sixteenth note
20 Allegro  . = 132 D minor 6
8
Sixteenth note
21 Allegro grazioso  . = 112 F major 6
8
Sixteenth note
22 Allegro spiritoso  . = 120 F major and G minor 12
8
Sixteenth note
23 Animato alla Polacca  . = 96 G major 9
8
Sixteenth note
24 Moderato  . = 90 F major 6
8
Sixteenth note
25 Allegretto  . = 80 G major and C major 6
8
Sixteenth note
26 Presto   = 136 E minor and F major 3
4
Sixteenth note
27 Vivo vivace (Presto)   = 100 A minor 2
4
Sixteenth note and Eighth note triplet alternation
28   = 104 F major 2
4
Sixteenth note triplet
29 Adagio Cantabile   = 66 C major and A major   Quarter note and Eighth note triplet
30 Scherzando  . = 72 F major 3
8
Sixteenth note, Thirty-second note, and Eighth note quadruplet
31 Scherzo  . = 90 G minor 3
8
Sixteenth note
32 Allegro con moto   = 96 F major and D major   Sixteenth note
33 Moderato   = 150 G minor 12
8
Sixteenth note
34   = 144 and Animato   = 160 F major 6
8
Thirty-second note

References

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  1. ^ a b Tarr, Edward H. "Willy (Vassily Georgyevich) Brandt". Brandt Brass Ensemble. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  2. ^ a b Walker, Brian (2019). The Thirty-Four Orchestral Etudes of Vassily Brandt (booklet). Hattiesburg, MS: International Trumpet Guild. pp. 3–4. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  3. ^ a b Akhmadullin, Iskander (May 2003). "Historical Perspective". The Russian Trumpet Sonata: A Study of Selected Representative Sonatas for Trumpet and Piano with a Historical Overview of the Russian Trumpet School Together with Three Recitals of Selected Works by Viviani, Chaynes, Böhme, and Others (PDF) (DMA). University of North Texas. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
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