The Courtois T.O.M.A. is, I believe, a significant step in the development of the trumpet. Whilst similar instruments have existed commercially for some twenty years, and, incidentally, the very first ones (invented by Nassim Maalouf) for even longer, they have generally been far more expensive and therefore beyond the reach of many players. This four-valve quartertone trumpet has changed all of that, and a great many more trumpeters will now be able to explore microtonal music on an instrument specifically designed for that purpose.
I’m a composer and conductor as well as a trumpet player, and many of the pieces which I’ve written have featured a degree of microtonal writing. The one thing that I’ve always wished for has been an instrument that has allowed me to really enter into this world fully myself. With this trumpet from Antoine Courtois that has become possible, and (after only a few days!) my work has begun to move forwards in earnest.
I’m currently planning a cycle of pieces for quartertone trumpet in various settings, which I plan to perform myself, and I hope to incorporate what I develop into a number of musical environments.
I should note that it seems to play well as a standard B-flat trumpet, too. This is, I feel, a viable and serious piece of equipment with which I, at least, am enjoying working!
Is this trumpet for everyone? Probably not - one has to have a sense of adventure, I think, as well as a certain willingness to experiment and to learn a new aspect to one’s playing. If one possesses that spirit, however, I believe that very interesting and exciting results may be achieved.
I can’t review this trumpet without mentioning Ibrahim Maalouf, son of the aforementioned Nassim. He is a remarkable player who has been a vital force in this instrument’s creation. I’m sure that many players will be considering buying this trumpet based on their admiration for his work, which is entirely understandable!
Simply owning one of these won’t, I think, make one play as does Monsieur Maalouf, although with sufficient study perhaps it will offer insights into his playing and his musical world.
I am excited at the prospect that many more players will be experimenting with microtonal playing on the trumpet. Our instrument didn’t develop very much during the twentieth century. There were a great many improvements in trumpet-building that made instruments better in tune and easier to play, but a trumpet manufactured in the year 2000 really isn’t so different from one made in 1900.
The T.O.M.A., on the other hand, adds something truly novel to the instrument and makes it available to the majority of interested trumpet players. It will be fascinating to see what musical results this innovation yields!
