Julien-François Zbinden

Triad op. 78

2 Trumpets and String Orchestra or Organ.

Triade, op. 78 was written at the behest of trumpet players Otto Sauter and Bo Nilsson, organizers of two events dedicated to the trumpet: a Festival and master classes in the city of Bremen, Germany. The work is dedicated to them and to their usual accompanist, organist Wolfgang Baumgratz. The title 'Triade' was chosen because the work was written for three instrumentalists and because it is in three movements. It should also be noted that the two trumpet parts are of equal importance and difficulty. The first movement Allegro poco maestoso opens with violent chords in the low register of the organ and goes on with a passage in the same tempo until the cadenza for the first trumpet. The introductory organ motif then leads to a new cadenza, this time for the second trumpet. This same motif, transformed by a more complex harmony, lets the two trumpets to bring out again, in counterpoint this time, elements from the beginning of the movement which concludes in alternating unisons and thirds in the extreme high register. The second movement Lento con malinconia is one of great simplicity. It is a kind of elegy in two voices, sorrowful and especially heartrending in its restraint and reserve. The elegy is interrupted by a short sequence of empassioned revolt which is quickly displaced by the principal theme. The movement concludes in a gentle atmosphere of resignation. The third movement Vivace e gaiamente presents a complete contrast. The principal theme, in triple meter, has as counterpoint an ornamented triplet figure, with the two trumpets in alternation. After an extensive statement by the organ, an episode of lyrical character makes its appearance, supported in the accompaniment by a series of staccato chords. The cadenza of this last movement consists of a two-voice fugue for the trumpets and a three-voice fugue for the organ. After the recapitulation of elements of the beginning, two short cadenzas are heard in response and lead to a short coda which broadens majestically.