|
Three Jubilations (1987) |
two trumpets, two trombones and organ - 12'
commissioned by the International Congress of Organists. First performance: 18 July 1987, Thomas Trotter (organ) and the King's Trumpeters, King's College Chapel, Cambridge.
When choosing instruments to partner the organ, I prefer those that are able to produce an equally wide range of colour and sound so that the organ need not limit its dynamic range. In Three Jubilations, the two trumpets and two trombones provide an ideal contrast to the rich sound of the organ. When writing pieces which are to be performed in church, I am often inspired by plainchant and chorales; in this work, I have chosen Gregorian plainsong as the theme in the first and third movements, and a Czech chorale in the longer middle movement. These quotations are treated in several different ways.
For the first movement, Preludium, I have chosen the opening plainsong of the mass Asperges me and Psalm 50 Miserere mei, Deus. Asperges me is first introduced by the brass, and then taken up by the organ in a rhythmic and aggressive style. In the middle section of this movement, the organ continues with this theme, whilst first trumpet, then trombone introduce the Psalm. This section is conceived bi-rhythmically, with the brass and organ in different tempi.
The second movement quotes the Czech chorale Vigilanter melodum. At the beginning of this movement, the melody of the chorale is altered. Then follows an exact quotation of the chorale with the notes repeated in quick rhythmic chords played in turns by the brass and on the reed stops of the organ, producing some interesting tonal contrasts. In the middle section of the movement, a new theme is introduced, followed by an exact quotation of the chorale melody.
In the third movement, the end of the Mass Ite Missa est is quoted. This movement starts with a solo trumpet shifting the melody a semitone higher in each bar, followed by the theme played by all the brass in the same key. Brass and organ soli alternate throughout the movement, and then unite for the festive conclusion.
© Petr Eben