Samuel Ducommun

Concertino op. 68b

The Concertino for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra was composed in 1962 for Jean-Pierre Mathez and dedicated to him. Following the world premiere (June 28, 1962) with the composer at the organ in the Collegiate Church of Neuchâtel, he also premiered the orchestral version that same year with the Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne, conducted by Victor Desarzens, and recorded by Radio Suisse Romande. The opening allegro (Allegro vivace), featuring a rhythmic and a melodic theme, is written in classical sonata form. The second movement (Poco lento) also contains two themes that develop in counter-motion, then flow into one another and end diminuendo. The Concertino concludes with a classical, lively fugue (Allegro) leading up to the counter-exposition, which is overlaid by a chorale featuring two mirror-image themes.