Symphony No 3 (Trachsel)

From Wind Repertory Project
Thomas Trachsel

Thomas Trachsel


Subtitle: The Apocalyptic


General Info

Year: 2014
Duration: c. 1:09:00
Difficulty: VI (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Baton Music
Cost: Score and Parts - €1000.00   |   Score Only - €115.00


Movements

1. Grave e multo marcato - 18:30
2. Scherzo - 14:20
3. Adagio - 7:45
4. Sehr Langsam
5. Finale - Pesante


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
English Horn
Bassoon I-II
Contrabassoon
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Saxophone
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone I-II
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Cornet I-II
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III-IV
Euphonium
Tuba
Violincello I-II-III-IV
String Bass
Piano
Harp
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Chimes
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Glockenspiel
  • Marimba
  • Sleigh Bells
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tam-Tam
  • Triangle
  • Vibraphone
  • Wind Chimes
  • Xylophone

Women's or Children's Choir


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

After the first symphony, Melancholic, in C-minor, and the second symphony, About the Fear of our Time, in D-minor, I have now completed my third symphony in D-flat minor. While C-minor stands for a connection to earth and D-minor is seen as more spiritual, D-flat minor stands – at least symbolically – for everything that exists between heaven and earth, visible and invisible. The title, Apocalyptic, is used in this sense, and thus, the work should not be considered as a symphonic poem that describes the day of the final judgment. Rather, the Apocalyptic stands for the threat coming from raging mental need. As in my first two symphonies, there is a main theme at the beginning. It is present throughout the whole symphony. So it can be seen as the real driving force of the music.

The first movement in D-flat minor, stands for the oppressive fear about an uncertain future. The Scherzo in D-minor gives the impression of barbarian stomping, but only until the beginning of a melancholic trio in F-minor. In the third movement, in D-minor, the fourth in F-minor, and the final movement, in B-flat minor, a women or a children’s choir sing words by the Swiss author Arthur Honegger (not to be confused with the composer of the same name), written especially for this symphony. It is a collection of indicting questions about the mental and moral situation of man, posed by children to the former generation.

To underline this whole symbolism, I composed the finale of the symphony as a big, triple fugue. At the climax of the final movement I combined the main themes of all three symphonies.

- Program Notes by Stormworks and Dr. Martin Seggelke


Media

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State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

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Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources