Soloist · Orchestral Trumpeter · Teacher
I have made the music of our time and the performers and educators of tomorrow the focus of my career.
As a soloist, I have commissioned, premiered and recorded new works for trumpet from some of today’s most exciting composers, including George Tsontakis, Stephen Paulus, Joseph Turrin, Anthony Plog, Eric Ewazen and James Stephenson. I have been Principal Trumpet of the Albany Symphony Orchestra since 1998 and a member of the Boston Modern Orchestra Project since 1995. More than one hundred of my former students are performing and teaching today.
135+
commercially released recordings
Since 1998
Principal Trumpet, Albany Symphony Orchestra
Grammy
2014 nomination for Stephen Paulus’s Concerto for Two Trumpets, which I commissioned and premiered
NPR Top 10
Classical Recordings of 2017: George Tsontakis’s True Colors
Latest release · 2024
Christopher Rouse: Heimdall’s Trumpet
With the Albany Symphony Orchestra · Albany Records TROY1979
“Trumpeter Eric Berlin gives a great performance. The concerto is fiendishly difficult for soloist and orchestra and […] the performances are convincing and breathtaking.”
American Record Guide
Also with the Albany Symphony: in March 2012 I premiered and recorded George Tsontakis’s True Colors for Trumpet and Orchestra, which the orchestra commissioned for me. The Naxos release was named one of National Public Radio’s Top 10 Classical Recordings of 2017.
MSR Classics
Solo albums
Signed copies are available directly from me.
2014 · MSR 1506
Premieres for trumpet and wind ensemble, including Stephen Paulus’s Grammy-nominated Concerto for Two Trumpets
Signed copies available
2013 · MSR 1395
Sonatas by Stanley Friedman, Kent Kennan, James Stephenson and Robert Suderburg, with Nadine Shank, piano
Signed copies available
2007 · MSR 1199
Premieres for trumpet, with Nadine Shank, piano; Eduardo Leandro, percussion; and Lynn Klock, saxophones
Lessons · In person and by Zoom
My job is to become obsolete.
I say that to my students, and I mean it. A lesson lasts an hour or so; the rest of the week, you are on your own in the practice room. A teacher merely gives information. It is your job to put that knowledge into practice. So the most important thing I can teach you is how to teach yourself.
Wherever you are, you can work with me regularly, come for a single consultation before an audition, or book a short series to work on one specific problem.
“Professor Berlin is a fantastic trumpet player, but what he is truly best at is teaching.”
“I believe in myself because Eric Berlin believed in me.”
Zoe Cohen, music educator
Concerts
Available for recitals and as soloist with band or orchestra
Trumpet and Piano
Various programs
Trumpet, Trombone and Piano
with Greg Spiridopoulos and Ludmila Krasin
Various programs
Trumpet and Organ
with Doug Major or Forrest Eimold, organ
Various programs
Soloist with band or orchestra
Selected repertoire
- Alexander ArutiunianConcerto for Trumpet (Orchestra or Band)
- F. J. HaydnConcerto for Trumpet in Eb
- J. N. HummelConcerto for Trumpet in Eb
- Henri TomasiConcerto for Trumpet
- Evan HauseConcerto for Trumpet (2001) (Orchestra and Wind Ensemble) *
- George Tsontakis“True Colors” for Trumpet and Orchestra (2012) *
- Christopher RouseHeimdall’s Trumpet for Trumpet and Orchestra (2012)
- James Stephenson“Duo Fantastique” for Two Trumpets and Band (2007) *
- Stephen PaulusConcerto for Two Trumpets (Band* and Orchestra)
- Joseph TurrinSounding the Call (2012) (Band) **
- Anthony PlogConcerto #3 (2015) (Brass Band) **
* Works I commissioned and premiered** I was part of the commissioning consortium