Herbert L. Clarke was among the greatest cornet soloists of his time. In 1897
he was the first cornet soloist of the John Philip Souza Band the worlds
most successful recording artist. In his later years he became a trumpet master,
his prote'ge and most renown student was Claude Gordon, who became the 1st
trumpet player for CBS Radio for 11 years in the early 1940's. He went on to
be a successful trumpet soloist and band leader. In his later years he too became
a trumpet master. I was one of Claude's youngest students, and studied with him
for 5 years at his home in Big Bear Lake and his studio in Woodland Hills. The
lessons with Claude included much of the Herbert L. Clarke material and method.
Claude had me join him at his clinics and seminars to demonstrate "Carnival".

In the early 1990's I called Claude to tell him about a new and different
version of the "Carnival of Venice" that I was working on,
I asked him for his advice on some new idea's and about the way Herbert L. Clarke performed it. Claude called me back 3 times and we spoke at length about the my solo part and the new orchestration. I incorporated Claudes idea's musically in the solo part performing most of the piece on flugelhorn. Claude told me that the piece was played "Ad Libitum" which means you can take liberties with the melody and get away with it. Claude never heard the finished piece, he passed away in the mid 1990's, I felt the loss was so great that I lost interest in the piece. But, here it is, at last, a different version, a classic trumpet solo of which my interpretation is to paint the carnival atmosphere of this most important Italian Venetian festival, and is a tribute to trumpet master Claude Gordon, who gave me the tools to be able to play the trumpet with success. The piece ends on an F above double high C, which, of course, was Claudes idea. So I hope you enjoy!!

"Hit hard and wish it well"!

"The Carnival of Venice" arr. David Stout
A Tribute to Claude Gordon
by Paul Cacia

Downloads of the Carnival of Venice are available on itunes and here!