Jean Balissat

Capriccio

This work was commissioned by the Musikhochschule Bern (Switzerland) for the Soloist Diploma final examination of Roland Fröscher, a brilliant young euphonium virtuoso. The Capriccio is set in four movements that are played attacca: the first, moderato, consists of the main theme presented in the form of a recitative prolonged by a lyrical moment. The scherzo features the juxtaposition and interplay of the soloist and orchestra motives leading to an intense culmination point where the orchestra responds three times to the furiously energetic euphonium glissandi. The lento espressivo is a specific musical response to the soloist's request for something that would accommodate his predilection for long expressive cantilenas. The finale represents a challenge to the technical skills of the soloist in a contrasting movement that encompasses the principal motivs, offered in transliterated forms, of the composition. The world premiere of the Capriccio was given July 1st 2005 in the large concert hall of the Casino Bern, with Roland Fröscher, euphonium and the Bern Symphony Orchestra conducted by Matthias Kuhn. Jean Balissat