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5D863ECE-B91F-4584-BC2B-8C8A3436BBDF
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A "triskelion" is a design composed of three branches, usually curved, radiating from the center. The three movements of the brass quintet form a structure parallel to this concept.
Instrumentation
Brass Quintet
Commission
Commissioned by the Music Library Association for the American Brass Quintet
Dedication
Program Notes
TRISKELION was commissioned by the Music Library Association to celebrate the organization's 60th anniversary. The premiere was performed by the American Brass Quintet at the Indianapolis Museum of Art on February 15, 1991 during the annual national conference of the Music Library Association. The word triskelion refers to a design composed of three branches, usually curved, radiating from thecenter. The three movements of the brass quintet form a structure parallel to this concept, with the fast-paced outer movements drawing power from the more contained, almost still central movement.
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Premier Performance Memo
-World Premiere. American Brass Quintet 15, 17, 21 Feb 91.
Recording Credits
Recorded by American Brass Quintet, Summit Records CD DCD 133 (1992)
Review
"Triskelion was [a] commission by the Music Library Association six years ago to celebrate its sixtieth anniversary The American Brass quintet gave the first performance at MLA's annual meeting in Indianapolis on 15 February 1991. Many regular readers of Notes were there, of course, and those of you who were will remember the enthusiasm with which the audience acknowledged this fine work. <BR> I was particularly glad, because I was on the committee that chose the commission, and we had worked very hard to insure that MLA's support would go to a solid piece of good music. While commissioning a work is always a bit of a gamble, the MLA committee had expressed several hopes. First, we wanted it to be a good piece--not necessarily a great one--but nonetheless a work that would engender more than one performance, a work that would return musical value to the performers. Second, we wanted the work to be in a medium likely to provide opportunities for performance. We chose to commission a brass quintet because this is such an American form, combining the great band tradition of our schools with the brilliant performers it has spawned and the virtuoso ensembles these musicians have in turn formed. <BR><BR> We chose Bruce Adolphe, a prolific composer whose commissions had included works for such ensembles as the Chamber Music Center of Lincoln Center, the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, TASHI, the Da Capo Chamber Players, and many others, because we liked the sound and style of his music and because (as we were assured by our knowledgeable member at the American Music Center) he would get the piece done on time. We didn't have to worry on that score. Despite an incredibly busy and varied life, Adolphe found time to sit down and write the quintet months before the performance, giving the musicians plenty of time to prepare a stunning performance. Triskelion realized our dreams. An effective and well-wrought work, it has been successfully performed by the American Brass Quintet and other ensembles many times since its inception. A recording of New American Brass Music (Summit DCD-133) by the American Brass Quintet brought Bruce Adolphe's piece to an even wider audience. <BR><BR> The title gives a hint of its form. The American Heritage Dictionary defines a triskelion as 'a figure consisting of three curved lines or branches, or three stylized human arms or legs, radiating from a common center.' The center of Adolphe's work is the slow second movement As the composer describes it 'The fast-paced outer movements draw power from the more contained, almost still, central movement.' The musical language is up-to-date and eminently accessible, being based harmonically on tonal intervals and occasional jazz chords. The quintet is scored for two trumpets, horn, and tenor and bass trombones. The bass part can also be played on the tuba. <BR><BR> Triskelion is very much in the mainstream of contemporary brass music. Although it was written for a virtuoso ensemble, it could be played by a good group of professionally oriented conservatory students. The attractively mysterious slow movement is less challenging technically, and could probably stand on its own in performance. <BR><BR> Music librarians acquire music they believe is worthwhile in order to prolong its life and to bring it to the attention of musicians and anyone interested in good music. Our society, the Music Library Association, by commissioning this work and hosting such a successful first performance, has given a stamp of approval to Bruce Adolphe's quintet Ipso facto, if Triskelion is not already on your library shelves, it should be." <BR>--Susan T. Sommer, The New York Public Library
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