In the first major book devoted to the trumpet in more than two decades, John Wallace and Alexander McGrattan trace the surprising evolution and colourful performance history of one of the world's oldest instruments. They chart the introduction of the trumpet and its family into art music, and its rise to prominence as a solo instrument, from the Baroque 'golden age', through the advent of valved brass instruments in the nineteenth century, and the trumpet's renaissance in the jazz age. The authors offer abundant insights into the trumpet's repertoire, with detailed analyses of works by Haydn, Handel, and Bach, and fresh material on the importance of jazz and influential jazz trumpeters for the reemergence of the trumpet as a solo instrument in classical music today.

Wallace and McGrattan draw on deep research, lifetimes of experience in performing and teaching the trumpet in its various forms, and numerous interviews to illuminate the trumpet's history, music, and players. Copiously illustrated with photographs, facsimiles, and musical examples throughout, The Trumpet will enlighten and fascinate all performers and enthusiasts.

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Read an article by The Trumpet author John Wallace on Yale's blog

"It is a great privilege and pleasure to introduce this most necessary and inspiring book on the history of the trumpet, by two of its foremost exponents. I must join John Wallace and Alexander McGrattan in encouraging stimulus, experimentation, change and transformation concerning any received ideas as to what the trumpet IS: its world is always in a state of metamorphosis, towards circumstances beyond our imaginings, as this book proves, over and over again."-From the Foreword by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, CBE, composer, Master of the Queen’s Music

"This will prove to be a must-have book for all those interested in the trumpet – for players, former players like me, musicians of all shapes and sizes, composers, music historians, students and the wider music audience. The Kingdom of Fife seems to have produced a bumper crop of Britain’s finest brass players in the last few generations. Two of them, McGrattan and Wallace, both from Glenrothes and central to the UK’s thriving and respected brass culture in the last few decades, are the authors of this much-anticipated volume."-James MacMillan CBE, composer

"This highly informative and entertaining book is essential reading for all music lovers. We have waited long for such inspiring research. Let the trumpet speak!"-Donald Runnicles, Generalmusikdirektor, Deutsche Oper Berlin, and Chief Conductor of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

"I have had some of my greatest pleasure as a musician working with trumpet players like Haken Hardenberger, John Wallace and Wynton Marsalis. The authors see the universe as trumpet-shaped: as a conductor, who am I to disagree!"-Esa-Pekka Salonen, Principal Conductor of the Philharmonia

"Finally it has happened! John Wallace and Alexander McGrattan have enabled the wider world to recognise and understand this truly artistic and multifaceted instrument. Throughout its long history the trumpet has been both revered and rebuffed – this indispensable book will cement it in its rightful place in the realms of glory for many years to come."-Alison Balsom, international trumpet soloist

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