The Concertino for Trumpet in C Major by Knudage Kiisager is a classic of our repertoire, though heard less and less often today. Riisager was born in Estonia of Danish parents. He graduated from Copenhagen University where he received violin lessons from Peder Møller, and studied music theory under Otto Malling and Peder Gram. For many years he worked in a government job, and also as a composer. In 1923 he went to Paris to study with Albert Roussel and Paul Le Flem, where he experienced at first hand French neoclassicism and the music of Igor Stravinsky and Les Six.

Around this time he wrote both his Concerto for Violin and his Concertino for Trumpet (1933). This piece is said to be a fine example of the French orientated trend in Danish music. Others called his music Neo-Classical (hence the Stravinsky influence).

No matter what you call it, when you listen to the first movement below, you will fall in love. This is very programmable for recitals, jurys, and other performances, and it quickly becomes an audience favourite.

Click to the left for score samples, then grab an immediate PDF download above.