Paul and Kathron

The repertoire for trumpet and piano began to develop about 100 years ago as the instrument outgrew its technical limitations and composers began to realise the musical possibilities offered by its distinctive sound.

As composers began to use the instrument as a solo melodic line within the orchestra the level of performance by players of that era increased considerably, encouraging composers to see the trumpet and its close relative, the cornet, as a solo instrument in its own right. Many European composers delighted in writing for this 'new' solo instrument, much encouraged by performers who were enjoying the celebrity status that this new developing repertoire afforded! Therefore, composers such as Arthur Honegger, Jacques Ibert, Paul Hindemith, Georges Enescu and Bohuslav Martinu wrote works of substance for trumpet and piano duo. Meanwhile, in England the cornet was the undisputed solo instrument of the brass family and virtuoso players, with their warm sonorous sound and seemingly effortless agility, helped to develop the cornets own musical identity with its own unique repertoire. Paul Archibald and Kathron Sturrock enjoy performing recitals of this large and varied repertoire, producing programmes that are substantial yet entertaining and informative.

Sample programme
Henri Busser	Andante and Scherzo
Marcel Bitsch	Four Variations on a Theme of Scarlatti
Paul Hindemith	Sonata
interval
Cecilia Mc Dowall	The Night Trumpeter
Pierre Gabaye	Boutade
Prokofieff arr Archibald	Four Movements for Romeo and Juliet

Kathron Sturrock studied at the Royal College of Music, winning an Austrian Government scholarship to study with Alfred Brendel in Vienna. Further awards enabled her to accept an invitation from Rostropovitch to study the repertoire for cello and piano with him in Moscow.

Her concerts, recordings and television appearances have taken her to most countries in Europe, North America, India and Australia and her sensitive approach to the chamber music repertoire has made her much sought after by both singers and instrumentalists. Kathron is Artistic Director of Fibonacci Sequence and her extensive discography includes recordings for Hyperion, Chandos, Pickwick, Gamut, ASV and Black Box Records.

She is the only pianist to have twice won the prize for the best accompanist at the Sofia International Opera Competition. After this award, she was invited to play for Elisabeth Schwarzkopf's masterclasses throughout Europe. Kathron made her Proms debut in August 1994 and has recently recorded Mozart's Concerto K.503 with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jerzy Maksymiuk.