Sonata for Trumpet and Piano

I originally wrote this a few years ago for piano and choir. In November 2010, one of my friends I met in high school emailed me and asked if I could write her a trumpet solo. I immediately set to work, but could not find any inspiration, never having written for a solo instrument before. I was rummaging through old files, and I came upon my piano/SATB version, and immediately I printed it out and began to rewrite it. Two months later, I have the sonata for trumpet and piano. My friend is currently learning this piece, and will be performed within the coming weeks. (:Again, this is part of my college application portfolio for music composition, so feedback is greatly appreciated and will be fully considered.

Sonata for Trumpet and Piano

I think there is great potential with this piece! However, I think you could benefit a lot from using more varied harmonic, rhythmic and melodic devices to develop and strengthen your themes. Given that the rhythmic texture is consistently simple, I would have used a lot more in the way of harmony (secondary dominants, chromaticism, modulation) to make the whole more interesting; the brief modulations to B/F#/C# minor you used at mss. 70-77 are not enough in my opinion. Also, I would suggest trying to map out your basic theme/motive, and using material derived from it (changing the intervals, the rhythmic values, having it used as a modulatory device, and so on) in greater quantities. That would help the listener identify much more with the piece, while giving him/her sometething significant to remember once the performance is over. On rhythmic affairs, I think what could be missing to make this work better is a greater interchange between the piano/trumpet coupled with less reliance on ostinato (one rhythmic pattern repeated constantly), such as the near-constant eight-note broken chords in the left hand. While this is a solo for trumpet, I think the piano must still have an interesting part; one that is interesting to play, all the while being one with the soloist and not just a mere accompaniement with nothing special to it. On the whole, much could be done in my opinion to flesh out the piece and make it more memorable, but the basic ideas and material is already proficiently laid down. Good luck with your application, by the way!

Hugo