Happenstance

From Wind Repertory Project
Stephan Hodel

Stephan Hodel


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Subtitle: Concertino for Trumpet and Wind Ensemble


General Info

Year: 2022
Duration: c. 12:25
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Stephan Hodel
Cost: Score and Parts - Unknown


Movements

1. Devious Tango
2. Aria
3. Elegant Bossa


Instrumentation

(Needed - please join the WRP if you can help.)


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Happenstance, a coincidence or chance situation, is a reference to a harmonic idea which this piece is based upon. The concept of Random Harmony, developed by the American jazz pianist Kenny Werner, combines a random sequence of bass notes with random chord qualities (e.g., lydian, maj7#5 or symmetric dominant). Through voice leading and melody, these chords, which are rather alien to each other, are now connected and formed into musical phrases. The resulting continuum creates unexpected sounds and chord progressions that repeatedly deceive the listener’s expectation and provide surprising moments.

To counteract the random element and to achieve musical continuity, more traditional and square forms, such as a tango or a bossa nova, are used. The three characteristically different movements give the soloist the opportunity to showcase the diverse facets of the instrument, from the marching and fanfare like, to the recitative singing, to the dance-like and rhythmic qualities in the final movement. The work exploits all the lyrical resources of the trumpet, using a subtle and sophisticated harmonic language, halfway between modern jazz and musical styles related to the popular dances and cabaret, close to Kurt Weill and music hall.

The work was composed in the winter of 2021/22 after a lengthy study phase with Kenny Werner and is dedicated to the trumpeter Giuliano Sommerhalder, the Berne Symphonic Wind Orchestra (SIBO) and its conductor, Rolf Schumacher.

- Program Note from Sinfonisches Blasorchester Bern concert program, 22 July 2022


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

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Works for Winds by this Composer


Resources