Michael Forbes

Tripoly

TRIPOLY was commissioned by the Tuba/Euphonium Studio at Bowling Green University in Ohio (USA), under the direction of David Saltzman. Although I have composed and arranged countless works for tuba quartet and ensemble, this is, strangely enough, my only tuba trio. The piece thrives on hoquetus and interplay among the three players in a driving 7/8 time signature, and each part has a very special solo role to play. It was conceived as an energetic, almost fanfare-like piece and is a truly "polyphonic" experience—hence the title: Tri-Poly. The players can choose the types of tubas that best suit their trio; however, I would suggest playing the first part on a bass tuba and the two lower parts on contrabass tubas.