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Trumpet Celebrity Interviews

[ a celebration of the artistry of ALL styles of Trumpet ]





M A U R I C E   B E N T E R F A


There was a certain amount of communication difficulty with contacting Monsieur Benterfa as I speak really awful French. I did however draft in a back up team. I thought it might interest the reader to have a little info on this French Gentleman before the interview....

Maurice BENTERFA was born in 1937 in Toulouse, FRANCE.

First Prize at the PARIS Conservatory (in the class of Ludovic VAILLANT), he was principal trumpet of the "Rhône-Alpes Philarmonique Orchestra" the Lyon Opera and teacher at the Lyon Regional Conservatory.

Member of the jury of the "Maurice ANDRE" International Competition in PARIS, he is currently vice-president of the Narbonne International competition for Brass Quintets, professeur at the Perpignan National Conservatory and pedagogical advisor to the French Ministry of Culture and Communication.

His acumen in the area of teaching brass instruments has made him one of the most respected teachers of the newer generations.

He is in demand throughout the world for his master classes for both young students and professionals.

Maurice BENTERFA plays STOMVI instruments and has developed his own line of wooden mouthpieces.


MOUTHPIECES IN PRECIOUS WOODS


The mouthpiece is an intermediary between the musician and his instrument. It is the link between the "Body-Instrument" and the "Instrument-Amplifier"- a sort of preamplifier whereby not only the sound vibrations are produced by the lips but also all the emotion that the musician expresses. Then the choice of this "partner" is essential and many musicians are still looking for the ideal mouthpiece.

As a fervent defender of these mouthpieces, kindly allow me to give you the reasons of my choice.

Wood is a living substance that encourages vibrations, whether they concern sound or emotion. Its rich acoustic and harmonic qualities, confirmed by computer study, are without equal. These noble and precious woods are beautiful, pure, hard, imputrescible and resistant; they give exceptional qualities of comfort and sonority.

Maurice ANDRE
"Wood, a noble substance has always seduced and attracted me. I love its smell, its living density, its contact. Remarkably beautiful, rich in harmonics, producing precision and fullness for attacks, this conception of mouthpiece allows for new sound spectra in addition to the resulting comfort. I thank Maurice Benterfa for having discovered this wealth".

Click here to go see the wooden mpc's.

Other info....

The Concerto "Tonalité" by Maurice Benterfa

This is a work in three movements (Héraldiques, Spasmodiques, Dancerie) which calls upon the complete technical ressources of thr trumpet player.

The concertante accompaniment by timpani continues a half a millenium of the common history of these two instruments.

This piece is also useful in instrumental pedagogy for avanced students (in particular, the clean and full attacks of the timpani can be an excellent help for the trumpet player in developing the proper feeling for staccato).

The first movement displays the heroic character of the trumpet and exploits with bravura the entire range of the instrument.

The second movement is lyrically modern, and exploits contemporary techniques as well as certain specialtonal effects ( for example, removing the first valve slide).

The third movement is a very virtuostic and lively dance where the soloist is invited to show off his creative powers in a passage of free improvisation.

Click here to go see a sample..



THE QUESTIONS....

Réponse Questions :
Answers to your questions:

  • 1. Would you like to add your web/email address at this point?

        M. Benterfa Website     M. Benterfa email

  • 2. Was your family background musical?

        Non.

  • 3. What made you decide to play trumpet?

        Âpres avoir été fasciné par un disque de "Harry James".
    After being fascinated by a record of Harry James

  • 4. At what age did you start?

        15 ans.

  • 5. On leaving your education, have you always been a full time musician?

         Oui.

  • 6. Describe your early experiences of semi - pro work.

         étudiant au conservatoire de Paris tous les Orchestres de la Capitale comme remplaçant.
    While a student at the Paris Conservatory, I deputized with all the capital’s orchestras

  • 7. What Orchestral experience have you had?

        Je pense avoir jouer pratiquement tous les Opéras comme Titulaire de l'orchestre de scène de l'Opéra de Paris et comme  principal Trompette de l'Opéra de Lyon.
    I think I’ve played practically all the operas as a permanent member of the stage / theatre orchestra with the Paris Opera, and as principal trumpet with the Lyon Opera.

  • 8. What Film experience have you had?

        J' ai participé a de nombreux enregistrements de Musique de Film français et américain
    I’ve been involved with [or taken part in] several soundtrack recordings for both French and American films.

  • 9. What commercial (TV etc..)playing experience have you had?

         Enregistrement de beaucoup de Musique Originale pour la Télévision française.
    I’ve done lots of recordings of original music for French television.

  • 10. Other playing experiences/styles?

        Trés peu..jamais..
    Very little..but..

        J'ai participé a tous les Grand Orchestres français ex :  National, Opéra de Paris, Concert Lamoureux. Concert Padeloux , Orchestre Philharmonique Radio TV j'ai également joué sous la direction des très grands chef d'Orchestre Lorin MAZEL, ROSTROPOVITCH, Jerry SEMKOV, Arond COPLAN etc....

    I’ve played with all the great French orchestras, for example, the National, Opéra de Paris, Concert Lamoureux. Concert Padeloux , Orchestre Philharmonique Radio TV.
    I’ve also played under the baton of some great conductors: Lorin MAZEL, ROSTROPOVITCH, Jerry SEMKOV, Arond COPLAN etc...

  • 11. Would you list your recording work

          très nombreux je ne me souviens plus.
    [I've done] very many...more than that I can’t remember

  • 12. Any solo recording work?

          Comme principal Trompette je n'ai pas eu l'occasion d'enregistrer a titre personnel
    As principal trumpet I have not had the occasion to make any solo recordings.
  • 13. Any news on new projects?

          Maintenant je me consacre a l'Enseignement je donne des Masters classe un peu partout dans le Monde. Au mois de mars je suis au Conservatoire de Séville
    Right now I’m devoting myself to teaching.  I give a few master classes around the world.  In March I will be at the Seville Conservatory [Spain].

  • 14. Favourite four albums?

         le 2° Brandebourgeois y Musici par Maurice Andre, Aroutounian par Bernard Soustrot, et l'Orchestre de Bonn et tous les autres.
    The second Brandenberg and Music by Maurice Andre; the Aretunian by Bernard Soustrot; the Orchestra of Bonn and all the others.

  • 15. Favourite two movies?

       le Bal des Sirènes et un Américain a Paris.
    "Bathing Beauty" (director George Sidney with Esther Williams & Red Skelton) and "An American in Paris"

  • 16.Favourite three foods?

         Chinois,Francais Espagnole.
    Chinese, French, Spanish

  • 17. Non-musical hobbies / points of interest you enjoy?

         Tennis et Pêche a la ligne lacs ou rivière
    Tennis. And fly fishing, either on a river or a lake

  • 18. Do you take days off from playing? (How does it affect you?)

          Oui très Bénéfique pour les lèvres
    Yes, it's very beneficial for the lips

  • 19. Three trumpet tips you wish to share with the readers.

          Faire avec passion, Mettre l'air nécessaire à la vibration, et jouer comme vous aimeriez chanté.
    Play with passion; use/give the air needed for the vibration [Lip]; and play like you would wish to sing

  • 20. End of interview sentiment.

         J'ai eu la chance dans ma vie de faire ce que j'aimais et a 65 ans je suis prêt à recommencé je vous souhaite d'aimer la trompette comme je l'ai aimer
    I’ve been lucky enough in my life to do what I love and now at 65, I’m ready to begin all over again (I would be willing to do it all over again).  I wish for you to love the trumpet as much as I have.

    Encore Bravo pour le site
    Congratulations once again for your website

    Bien amicalement.
    Kind regards

    Benterfa Maurice

    • Thank you very much indeed for sharing your thoughts with the
    ' Trumpet Web Community '. (11th Feb.2002)

    [ Thanks to Alison for the translation.   x ]

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