Thanks to...
This instrument was purchased by the Foundation Concertgebouworkest thanks to the generous support of our Swiss Global Friends.
Bert and his D/E-flat trumpet
In the series 'Musicians on their instrument': Bert Langenkamp on his D/E-flat trumpet, built by Yamaha - acquired in 2010.
The character of the instrument…
This trumpet is feisty – sometimes it can be a little headstrong, but still sensual at the same time. No matter what, it always shines.
The most beautiful piece I’ve played on this trumpet…
J.S. Bach wrote amazing trumpet parts for his cantatas and oratorios. These were originally for the natural trumpet, obviously, but since valves were invented around 1830, these parts have also been played on the piccolo and/or the D trumpet. They’re tough, but always a joy to play.
Where the trumpet sounds best…
The Royal Concertgebouw is the best place to play! But the trumpet always sounds great in a church, too. My father plays the organ for church services, and I’ve played with him off and on since I was about twelve years old. I often use this D/E-flat trumpet in works by Baroque and Classical composers like Torelli, Telemann and Haydn.
Unusual things in my trumpet case…
I have about twelve instruments in twelve cases. Besides necessities like the instrument itself, mouthpieces, mutes, valve oil and a cleaning cloth, there’s not much else. Oh, well, except for cat hair if one of our cats has decided to curl up in the case for a nap…
The sound of the trumpet...
Churches and paintings are often decorated with golden angels playing trumpets. For me, that says it all!
A nice compliment…
In Britten’s Four Sea Interludes, I often play third trumpet. It’s an important and particularly difficult part written specifically for D trumpet. A good performance always earns compliments from my colleagues. There’s a good atmosphere in the orchestra, and we often give one another sincere compliments – a subtle hand gesture or a shoe sliding over the stage floor during the concert. Or an offstage ‘Bravo!’ afterwards.