Roderick Macdonald

“Roderick MacDonald's road to the principal trumpet chair of the Gewandhaus Orchestra could have been scripted in Hollywood. Born in Rhode Island, he began his professional life as an engineer. When he found that unsatisfactory, he enrolled at the New England Conservatory of Music. In 1989, while attending the Tanglewood Music Festival, he auditioned for Kurt Masur and was awarded the principal chair of the Gewandhaus.
It's easy to see what impressed Masur. MacDonald is an outstanding player who strives more for elegance and grace than power and brilliance. His style is regal and vocal, and his sweet tone is rounder and darker than we usually hear from trumpet players, baroque or otherwise. I would call it the quintessential German sound--from an American trumpet player. In addition to his work with the orchestra, MacDonald has appeared worldwide as a soloist and conductor. Though ostensibly a solo enterprise, the delightful chamber program on Querstand has the air of collaboration. Following common baroque practice, the pieces are freely arranged for combinations of trumpet, violin, oboe, bassoon, double bass, and harpsichord that can be elegant, lively, and rustic at will. The performances are lucidly played with understanding and convivial spirit.”