Paraphrase on an Alemannic folk song for 4 trombones (op. 59c, 1958)
4 trombones
Duration: 10 minutes
Title: Paraphrase on an Alemannic folk song for 4 trombones - Length: 8 pages - Date: 58/76 Dorfgastein - Location: Bavarian State Library Munich
Zimmermann Musikverlag Frankfurt ZM 25250 / ISMN M-010-25250-6
It is gratifying that more and more contemporary composers are turning to brass ensembles. The theme of this paraphrase is particularly suitable for a trombone quartet, as it fully utilises its sound possibilities in all registers. Due to its medium level of difficulty, a performance by amateur wind players is easily possible. Medium difficulty.
The Alemannic folk tune, which forms the compositional core of the piece, harbours a moment of leisurely, calm flow. It characterises the musical style of the beginning. However, this calm cannot be maintained, as the melodic line is successively clouded both in the melody-carrying main voice and in the accompanying voices. Contrary to expectations, strongly contrasting elements confront the melody from the very beginning. The melody is interrupted by voice changes, and particular emphasis is placed on varying, concise articulation and dynamics. The calm gives way more and more to tension and hecticness. The change from the flowing allabreve at the beginning to the rapid 3/4 metre in the short-breathed middle section is therefore consistent. At the end, the hectic pace is discharged in an ever louder, forcefully striding wind section, which abruptly breaks off with a sharp sforzato.
Chamber music for more than two instruments Instrumental work Opus catalogue raisonné Single instrument Trombone Wind instruments