The Concerto for Trumpet and String Orchestra, composed in 1966 by French composer Robert Planel (1908–1994), is a pillar of the 20th-century trumpet repertoire. Dedicated to the legendary Maurice André, it is celebrated for its neo-classical elegance, refined orchestration, and subtle jazz influences. Musical Analysis and Structure
The work follows a traditional three-movement concerto structure with a total duration of approximately 16 minutes.
Movement I: Largement – Animé et bien rythméOpens with a broad introduction before moving into a lively, highly rhythmic section characterized by frequent metrical changes and a spirited dialogue between the trumpet and strings.
Movement II: Lent et calmeA tripartite movement featuring the muted trumpet. Its atmospheric quality is often compared to Debussy’s Clair de lune and the slow movement of Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major. The soloist must maintain long, expressive melodic lines, making endurance a key challenge.
Movement III: Vivace (Gaily and lightly)The finale follows the second movement without a break (attacca subito). It is technically demanding, featuring large intervallic leaps, chromatic passages, and a brilliant Romantic-style cadenza to close the work. Sheet Music and PDF Availability
For performers and students seeking the score, the concerto is widely available through various publishers and digital platforms: robert planel trumpet concerto pdf
Official Publisher: Editions Musicales Transatlantiques (Order no. EMT1251).
Retailers: Physical softcover editions with piano reductions can be purchased at Sheet Music Plus and Hal Leonard.
Digital Access: The trumpet part is available for digital viewing and download on Scribd and the digital library nkoda. Performance Requirements ! Twentieth Century Music for Trumpet and Orchestra
Now, the core of your search: Robert Planel Trumpet Concerto PDF.
You have likely searched IMSLP (Petrucci Music Library), MuseScore, and various trumpet forums. Here is the hard truth: You will not find a legal, free PDF of this work. The Concerto for Trumpet and String Orchestra ,
Why? Three reasons:
If you want the Robert Planel Trumpet Concerto, you must purchase it. The good news is that it is readily available through legitimate sources, and buying it supports the preservation of this beautiful repertoire.
The original publisher is Gérard Billaudot Éditeur, a historic French music publishing house that holds the rights to most Paris Conservatoire competition pieces.
Go to the website of Éditions Billaudot (billaudot.com). Search for "Planel Concerto." You are looking for the piano reduction (Trumpet and Piano). The reference number is usually G. 4263 B. As of 2025, the price is typically between €15 and €25 ($16–$27 USD).
Check AbeBooks or eBay for used copies of the Billaudot edition. These are physical books that previous students have sold. Once you own the physical book, you are legally free to scan it for a personal PDF backup (though not to distribute it). Title: Concerto pour Trompette Ut ou Sib et
The standard edition is:
You can order this from any major sheet music retailer:
To get the most out of the score, listen to reference recordings to understand the stylistic approach.
Summary: The Robert Planel Trumpet Concerto is an excellent addition to any trumpeter's library. While you may need to purchase the score from Alphonse Leduc or a licensed retailer to get a reliable PDF, the investment is well worth it for the quality of the writing and its importance in the standard repertoire.
Because it is a "concours" piece rather than a "warhorse," few individuals have scanned it. There are no student-uploaded copies floating around because the only people who own it are professional librarians and conservatory professors who bought it legally.