I recently purchased your Bach Cello Suite transcription book and CD's, and I have really enjoyed listening to your playing! You have done wonderful work to capture a vocal narrative with this music.

John Hagstrom
Chicago Symphony Orchestra


Petite Monde Best Local Jazz Recording of 2003.

Petite Monde Singer De Haven and trumpeter Cooper have never sounded better, having come of age together as artists of personal and shared vision.

The Capital Times/ Wisconsin State Journal Rhythm Section

Petite Monde, is a tremendous display of how crossover artists of a like mind collaborate to produce a well-polished product that leaves the listener desiring to hear more. ...the ensemble performs with unity, perfect blend, tasteful balance, energy, and rhythmic precision. ...[Cooper] has done an incredible job of producing over 60 minutes of inspiring music.

Brian Shook, ITG reporter

David Cooper and John Aley performed nine short selections from [Cooper's] new book, Bela Bartok's 44 Violin Duets. Bartok's unique harmonic language and engaging rhythms were always evident in these wonderful gems. Cooper and Aley matched sound and style perfectly as they brought these pieces to life through their wonderful artistry. Performing on different pitched trumpets further added to the contrast and appeal. Judging from the reception these duets received, we should be hearing more Bartok in the practice rooms in the near future.

John Irish, ITG Reporter

It is rare to find a brass performer who is as adept at going back and forth between jazz and classical playing. When it comes to trumpet playing, David can do it all!

UW-Madison School of Music Former-Chair

Dave Cooper is a trumpeter who has both chops and taste - a rare combination these days

Critics Choice

Sinewy, simmering lines with overtones of 60's Miles Davis!

Cadence

Like Chet Baker, Cooper stays on an even keel, although he'll surprise you with twists and leaps into the upper register or blistering high note patterns. No matter what he tries, he never looses his balance.

Isthmus Magazine

Bach Cello Suites Book and Recording Reviews

David, I purchased a copy of your Bach Cello Suites for Trumpet via ebay back in August. Before we evacuated our Biloxi home I only grabbed a few things out of my studio: your Bach Transcriptions book and CD, my trusty old Arban's, and three of my five horns. Hurricane Katrina completely destroyed our home and its contents, but I needed to share with you how much I appreciate the book and have enjoyed listening to, and playing your transcriptions. They have brought me a lot of hope and joy (and a bit of productive frustration!) throughout this terrible time. I am very thankful for Bach's original music, and your book which in turn allows me to appreciate and express both joy and sadness via the trumpet. I may never play a note of this music in public, but it has greatly influenced my playing and enriched my practice time.

Many thanks, John Bohlen

p.s. -- I originally tried to bid low and then decided to pay full price. Am glad I did as it was worth much more!

David, Your parcel arrived in the UK safe and undamaged noon today! I’ve run the tapes (and listened to you as best I could) as I am engaged on a project that cannot be dropped; your renditions are very impressive. Real class! I’m a player of some 55 years, and have always nurtured good tone above all else in my younger students. Listening to you can only aspire them to greater things. Your voicing is superb!  I imagined you in parts of one of the 4th suites (I think the prelude) - actually playing cello!  Doubtless I shall write to you again after time to really take in your renditions, and getting my lips around some of the scores!

All the best, Dave Thomas.

Hi Mr. Cooper--Just wanted to drop you a line and let you know I've been getting a lot out of your Bach Cello transcriptions--enjoying playing them (or trying to play them, anyway--have to keep working on my low F), and also enjoying the recordings. (Menuetto from #1, in particular, made me want to stand up and cheer.)Was there any particular cellist whose rendition of the suites particularly inspired your performance? (I've been listening to Rostropovich's version a lot.)Anyway, your work in putting these together is definitely appreciated--I'd been thinking in the back of my mind about trying to play some of the suites for years but always talked myself out of it by assuming they just wouldn't work on trumpet. I'm glad you put the time in to show that they could.

Thanks, Ian Carey

I bought your Bach cello for the trumpet music and saw notice of 1-3 CD inside. It was nice to get the previews - they sent a chill through me they're so nice. I will listen to your CD's more endlessly than I do the cello and I will practice and try to play them, at least some of them (especially prelude #6 - my favorite). Thanks David.

Corey Haddad

Hi again,I received the Bach "trumpet" suites today. They look great; especially the pedal F in the first prelude. Not enough composers/ arrangers make use of the pedal register and it's great to see some initiative. The CD is of high quality, too. I also received the October issue of the International Trumpet Guild journal today and it mentioned a David Cooper who taught at the university of Wisconsin.  Are you the same David Cooper? If so, it explains the high quality trumpet player on the recording!

Thanks again, Suraj Rajkumar

David Cooper’s recording of “J.S. Bach Cello Suites on Trumpet” is a truly wonderful performance that breaks new ground in the color spectrum of the trumpet.  Highly enjoyable.

  Andrew Balio, Principal Trumpet – Baltimore Symphony

I attended David's lecture/recital at the 1997 New York Brass Conference and found the performance informative and definitely most musically gratifying.  This edition of the Bach Suites is a welcome addition to the solo trumpet repertoire and certainly long overdue in my studio!

  Fred Mills - formerly Canadian Brass

Hi Dave,I just purchased your cello suites for trumpet (2 cd"s) and I must say that they are as beautiful as they are challenging.That must have been some labor of love for you putting that together.They hit all aspects of playing and they make a great addition to any practice routine.Your dedication to your trade shines in your playing on your cd"s ,verrrry inspirational! Thanks

Don