Merrie Klazek, Songs to the Moon (PHX 0879-2)

Merrie Klazek is a gifted trumpeter who has already enjoyed extensive international experience. After taking up trumpet at age 12 she quickly gained a mastery of her instrument, so much so that by age 17 she toured Western Europe as the featured soloist with Canadian Youth on Tour, where she performed Haydn's Trumpet Concerto in Eb at the Champs Elysees in Paris, Lugano/Switzerland, The Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and the Royal Albert Hall in London, England.

After receiving her Master's degree in Music Performance from Northwestern University in Illinois, her international career continued with a host of tours and performances. She has toured Japan as Principal Trumpet with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada; as Principal Trumpet of the prestigious "Festival Dei Due Mondi" in Spoleto, Italy; she performed in numerous operatic productions in Italy. While in Italy Merrie Klazek also performed in prestigious chamber ensembles in the private home of Gian Carlo Menotti as well as the Due Mondi's Gala concert featuring soprano Cynthia Philips and Luciano Pavarotti. Other international performances include Hungary, performing with musicians from the Dresden Philharmonic; US orchestras and chamber ensembles in Washington, New York, California, Massachusetts, Indiana, et al. In addition to a host of solo work, Merrie is currently Principal Trumpet for the Thunder Bay Symphony.

Songs to the Moon features Merrie's inimitable playing, showcased to perfection in trumpet transcriptions of vocal songs and arias. Merrie's playing is flawless, breathtakingly beautiful, sensual and expressive ¬ rarely has a trumpet sounded so fresh and alive. Each piece is made intimate and emotional, with the trumpet drawing the listener in with the resonance and expressive range of a human voice. Truly an outstanding work, Songs to the Moon is a great introduction to Merrie's art.