Edward H. Tarr is a native of Connecticut
(USA) and a pupil of two of the most
respected orchestral trumpeters: Roger
Voisin and Adolph Herseth (Boston and
Chicago Symphony Orchestras).His interest in the - at that time - more
obscure reaches of the trumpet repertoire
led Tarr to start researching whilst
studying in the USA, and he continued and
intensified his research after moving to
Europe in 1959 to study musicology:
(University of Basel with Prof. Leo Schrade;
Ph.D. degree from University of Hamburg,
1986.)
Edward H. Tarr is a pioneer in the
reintroduction of historical brass
instruments, and has made countless
recordings and performances on natural
trumpet and cornett, whilst not neglecting
the modern instrument. He has toured the
world, has been adviser to several musical
instrument manufacturers (R. Egger in Basel
and Yamaha) and has produced scholarly
editions of the most important trumpet
concerti.
Activities in the world of musical
education included teaching historical
trumpet and cornett at the Schola Cantorum
Basiliensis (from where he retired in 2001)
and modern trumpet at the Basel
Conservatory, as well as guest
professorships and master classes in
Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen, Helsinki,
Melbourne, Sydney, Stanford, Los Angeles,
Tallahassee, Lucerne, and Vaduz. He is also
a much sought-after juror at major
international competitions.
Dr Tarr has been director of the Bad
Saeckingen Trumpet Museum since its
inception in 1985. He founded the Edward
Tarr Brass Ensemble in 1969 (in formations
from 5 to 15 musicians) and The Duo (with
Irmtraud Krueger, organ) in 1980.
For Naxos, Edward Tarr conducted the Wasa
Baroque Ensemble and soloists on Vol.
5 of the Art of Baroque Trumpet, devoted
to Italian composers.
October 2001
