Jean-François Michel

Sinfonietta

This Sinfonietta for 9 trombones (8 tenor and 1 bass trombone), consisting of three contrasting movements, skillfully demonstrates the characteristics of a homogeneous trombone ensemble, in a very lively musical language, in the inventive style of the composer Jean-François Michel. The first movement begins with a calm and gentle Andante, which gradually gains momentum and then abruptly moves into Vivace marcato. The second movement, Andante e poco rubato, unfolds a lyrical aria with rich, deep harmonies, and then ends in dramatically gripping simplicity. The last movement, Allegro molto vivo, is a devilish musical race with haunting themes, interrupted by short pauses that only serve to make the race even more breathtaking to the end. This Sinfonietta by Jean-François Michel for the trombone ensemble Lucerne Bone Connection (cond. Markus Wüest) was commissioned by Ursula Jones-Strebi in memory of her husband Philip Jones (1928-2000), the great pioneer of brass chamber music.